Misled Tenderer.

Inaccurate Maps Lead to Civil Action About N.G.

Plantation.

IN the Banco Court, Melbourne, during the hearing of a case involving the purchase of a plantation known as Sopa Sopa, Mr. Justice Wasley made sharp criticism of Expropriated Proper ties Board of New Guinea.

The plantation was seized from the German owners and tenders for its pur chase closed in 1927. The successful ten derer was Stanley Archer Webb, who is now employed by the Administration in New Guinea. He tendered for the pro perty on the information contained in catalogue and maps supplied to ten derers. These showed what was de scribed by the bench as “shocking omis sions and inaccuracies” which were dis covered before tenders closed, but which were never made known to tenderers.

Sopa Sopa, the plantation in question, was described as being an island north west of Manus. When he went there Webb found that it was not an island but was on the mainland and he had been advised not to concern himself with mainland properties. Webb refused to complete the deal and asked for the return of £1,500 paid to the custodian.

Mr. Justice Wasley said that Webb had been treated shockingly badly. It was a disgraceful thing that a public de partment should invite people to tender on a catalogue and map that were inac curate and omit to advise them before tenders closed, of gross inaccuracies in its own literature. He desired to give judgment for Webb, but would suspend his decision to give the department an opportunity to do the decent thing by Webb and return his money. The hear ing was adjourned indefinitely.