DREDGING EXPOSURES

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 September 1901, Page 3

DREDGING EXPOSURES

Prosecutions likely to Follow.

[OUR PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER.]

Wellington, This Day,

According to the New Zealand Times, the enquiry now being conducted by a joint committee, representing both branches of the Legislature, into abases connected with the dredging industry, may not improbably result in prosecutions against the more flagrant offenders. It adds • “.Much of the evidence laid before the committee has been of a damnatory character, and though the committee’s report may not be presented for a couple or weeks, members should even at that advanced stage of the session give the subject serious attention which it undoubtedly deserves." The article proceeds: “A few‘wildcat’ ventures have given the whole dredging industry a bad name. It may ■be hoped, however, that after the Parliamentary exposure there will be such reforms as will restore confidence and a healthy tone to the market. It seems a little peculiar that it should have been left to a stranger—Mr. Herbert Easton—to take the lead in exposing the rotten condition of a number of dredging companies. Sufficient has been disclosed in the evidence to warrant drastic legislation.” This is the inquiry over which the Dunedin Star was hauled up for publishing evidence given in the early stages of the investigation.