THE “MOKAU" JONES’ CASE

Gisborne Times, 11 October 1912, Page 2

THE “MOKAU" JONES’ CASE

SIGNATURE TO A GAZETTE NOTICE. A QUESTION OF AUTHENTICITY. [PKESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON, Oct. 10. At the inquiry to-day into the petition of Air Joshua Jones, petitioner, in his evidence, referred at length to the Stout-Palmer report, in which he said it was stated that lie had never had conferred on him statutory powers to acquire the right over more than half of the Molcau lands. As against this, lie quoted a Gazette notice to show the area over which lie was given the right to lease for a term of 56 years. This, lie said, covered the whole area He declared that at the time the Gazette notice appeared Air John Ballance, then Minister for Lands, was ill, and that Sir Robert Stout signed the notice. Mr MeCallum, a member of the Committee: What is the signature to the document? Air Jones: It is signed “J. Ballance.” Air AlcCallum examined the document, and said: “Sir Robert Stout never signed that in his life.” Air Jones: lamon my oath. I was shown into the .presence of Sir Robert Stout at the time hv the then Secretary for Lands. He had the plans before him, and said, “This is all right,” and lie signed the document. It was pointed out that the original document could he obtained from the records. Air Jones maintained that Sir Robert Stout signed the document. Ho continued lii's evidence, which he stated would probably finish to-mor-row.