NG Timber Lease Trial on

Nov.' 8

THE New Guinea timber lease case has again been postponed owing to the continued illness of Edward Farrell, one of the four men charged.

The case was originally listed for hear ing on August 3, at the Sydney Quarter Sessions but was adjourned for one month when medical certificates proving Farrell’s illness were produced.

Four men, John Smith (“Jock”) Gar den, Harcourt Garden, his son, Ray Parer, well-known New Guinea aviator and miner, and Edward Farrell are charged with conspiring to cheat and defraud Hancock and Gore Ltd., timber merchants, of Brisbane, Queensland in respect of an alleged timber lease in the Bulolo Valley, New Guinea. Jock Garden is already serving a three year sentence for forgery in connection with the same case.

In October, in Sydney, Judge Lloyd fixed November 8 for the hearing of the case. He said that the trial would prob ably last two months and should begin as soon as possible. Mr. Simon Isaacs, for the two Gardens, asked that the hear ing be delayed until December. He said that Farrell is a material witness and that his clients would be seriously pre judiced if he were not available.

The trial of Garden on a forgery charge earlier this year was one of the most sensational in recent years. Great public interest, both in Australia and New Guinea, is attached to the coming trial, now listed for November 8. Some of Aus tralia’s outstanding legal talent has been briefed and will appear as follows: Mr. W. J. Shand, KC, and Mr. J. W.

Smyth, for the Crown; Mr, W. R. Dovey, KC, and Mr. R. J. Marr for Ray Parer; Mr. J, E. Cassidy, KC, and Mr. G. Ams berg, for Farrell; Mr. Simon Isaacs for both Gardens.