SALE OF MEAT WORKS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18370, 1 May 1925, Page 9

SALE OF MEAT WORKS.

COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TUJQRAX.) UISBORXE, April 30. The Royal Commission of Enquiry into the sale of the Poverty Bay Formers' Meat Company's works at Waipaoa to Vestey Bros, was continued to-day. lu the morning the Commission mado an inspection of the works. When the sitting was resumed, a question arose, as to the non-production of the private journal. The Commission had previously taken timo to consider whether certain loose ledger sheets should bo produced, Mr Lysnnr and his accountant, Philip Hamilton, wore examined, but denied all knowledge of the existence of a private journal. Frank Porter, formerly accountant to tho Poverty Bay Meat Company, was shown certain lodger entries. ami said that they had been derived from entries in the missing private journal, Ho had handed all the books in lua possession to the receiver. He described the dimensions of tho missing book, which was supposed to have boon placed with othor books in Mr Lysnar's strongroom.

Mr Myers for the National Bank, and Mr Taylor for the Government, insisted that the missing journal was most important, as it contained the closing entrios in regard to the Admiral Codrington up to August, 1923. Hamilton Irvine, receiver to the com? pany, said he had given the journals and ledger to Philip Hamilton, but ho did not. know Avhether tho journal referred to was amongst those books. In reply to tho chairman, witness said the missing book contained important quotations as to why transfers of certain balances were made. The information was important. George Witters resumed his evidence on certain parts of the works, stating that when Vesteyg took over the buildings were in reasonably good condition. Witness denied tho statement of Mr .Tplly that the works had been starved prior to Vesteys taking them over. Had Vesteys offered to buy tho works at £465,000, and had the Minister of Agriculture agreed to it, he (witness) would not have objected, as it was only a question of price. . Answering Mr Jones, witness said he personally had not examined tho charges made by Mr Lysnar, and did not know if the directors had discussed them. He contended tha't the Meat Board had not acted fairly in regard to tho Admiral Codrington, stating that Mr Jones had not included the vessel in the shipping contract, Mr Jones contending that application was not formally made. Witness submitted that Mr Lysnar had made verbal application - to Mr Jones for the inclusion of the vessel in the contract, but the offer had hot been given the consideration expected. He further stated that he. would at least have expected Mr Jones to havo advised the company when, the contracts were under con-, aideration.

. The proceedings were adjourned till to-morrow.