LAND BOARD SQUABBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2629, 11 October 1909, Page 3

LAND BOARD SQUABBLE.

COMMISSIONER’S RULING DISPUTED.

AIR EUSTACE LANE EJECTED

The customary placidity of the Hawke’s Bay Land Board was rudely disturbed on Saturday morning, when after a heated passage-at-arms between the .Commissioner (Mr Brodriek), and Air Eustace Lane, Crown tenants’ representative,, .the latter . was ejected from the room at tho instance of the Commissioner. The trouble arose when the Board was discussing a question of the transfer of a lease. Mr Lane contended that the Board should grant transfers right out and not merely make a recommendation to the Minister that a transfer be granted. He made reference- to a case heard in Napier, saying : “The McLean case is a case in point.” The Commissioner ruled any reference to the McLean case cut of order, claiming that it had already been adjudicated upon. Air Lane held that he was absolutely in order. It was distinctly a case in no hit.

The Commissioner: If you do not accept my ruling you will have to leave the room. Air Lane (excitedly); 1 will not leave the room. Air Macintosh, Receiver of Crown Lands Revenue, was then instructed by the Commissioner to have Mr Lane removed from the room. Mr Lane suggested that the matter be left to the rest of the Board. If a majority decided that he should submit to the ruling he would do so. The Commissioner refused to put the matter to the Board, remarking that he had ruled, and Air Lane must obey that ruling. Air Wright suggested that the matter might possibly be settled without any trouble. He was thanked by the Commissioner for the suggestion, but told that it was a matter for the Commissioner, as it was a case of his authority being disputed. Just then Air Macintosh, after having vainly sought the assistance of other members of the staff, returned with Constable Dwyer. ’Fhe Commissioner remarked that he did not wish the- constable to act in the matter, merely to keep order. Semebody else was to remove Air Lane.

Air Macintosh: The policeman is tho only man that will put him out. Sir. The Commissioner: AViMI, will put him out, Air Alacintosh ? Air. Alacintosh: Well, I’ll try, Sir. Air Alacintosh then walked iound to where Air Lane was sitting, and touching that gentleman on tho arm, said, “Come along, Air Lane. ’ Air Lane: That will do. Sir. 1 just wanted the servant of the Board to commit an assault as has happened before r.t Napier. Very well. 1 will go. I am not a strong man, and have no intention of putting up my hands or resorting to fisticuffs. What I do, Ido in a s!f defence and in the interests ot those I represent. This is the second time this has been done to me, andjt shall be the last. It is probably the last time I shall sit on the Board, but I am going to test this matter tin e ugh and through. AVhat I ’ ive done, I have done for the country’s sake (picking up his papers). I wish you :*il good morning gentlemen. The Commissioner: Good morning.

Air Lane then quietly left the room, in company with Air Alacintosh and the business of the Board was proceeded with. In conversation with a “Times” representative after his ejection. Air Lane explained that the ease he had mentioned was one of a Air AlcLean of Ti Tree Print, Dannevirke. A transfer on his behalf had been recommended by the Board at Napier, but on being referred to the Minister, he had vetoed it. Ho (Air. Lane) held that the Board should have and had a right to come to a decision regarding transfers, instead of merely making a recommendation to the Alinister. He pointed out that unnecessary delay must attend the referring of the recommendations of tho Board to the ATininer, and there was also the possibility of the Alinister exercising his power of veto against the wishes of the Board. This, by Section 85 of tho 1908 Act, would alter the rights of transfer the tenant had when he took up the land originally. Such an action was, in his opinion, the thin end of the wedge, and might lead to an assertion of right to alter any of tho conditions of a lease. Asked as to his intentions for future action, Mr Lane replied that he did not know what course to pursue. He d : d not intend to again be subjected to the indignity of ejection when he was perfectly right. He knew that on the point in question he had the support of the majority of the members of the Board, but it was improbable that lie would attend any more meetings. He had a clear case of assault against Mr Alacintosh, and one against the Commissioner for inciting to assault, but lie did not feel inclined at present to take such extreme measures.