LAND SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1462, 24 May 1905, Page 2

LAND SCANDAL.

STARTLING DEVELOPMENT AT„ NEW SOUTH * |jf EVIDENCE AS To BIG COM- f MISSION PAID. '.y j, WITNESSES REFUSE TO ANBWE' f QUESTIONS. '

By; Electric Telegraph—Per Press Association—Copyright. *l> {3 Received 12.55 a.m., May 24. "**" Sydney, May 23. There has been a sensational develop?'"’ ■£■ tnent in connection with the lands enquiry. Bath, a city land ngonc, gave evidence that ho know Mr Crick intimately, and fro- ? • quontly suw him whan be was Minister ofLands in connection with land cases. P* ;£s reference to the Myall Creek estate, which was purchased by the Government, Mrl Crick told him that Willis was going to England, and had asked Crick to look after* the mutter. Crick said he coaid not bid®. self go into the mattor, a 3 the Ministry had a very narrow majority. Witness, at : his own suggestion, was appointed to represent Willis while in England, and am. agreement was drawn up. He was to. - receivo about one-fourth of tho commission on the sale of the estate, Willis did not go ' to England. Nevertheless witness got his share of commission, £ISOO, consisting of Willis’ cheque for £1322 and a bill for- * £l5O, tho balance of tho money. handed tho wholo to Crick, who bought Government debentures for him. He handed the cheque to Crick because there was something about it he did uot wish to. reveal. v *

Though Bath was repeatedly pressed by Justice Owen, who said he would be compelled to enforce the penalty of £2O for not answering, he refused to answeos* -» tho question who drew the bill.

At this etage Bath left the roam to proeuro the dobontures. At tho afternoon sitting Crick ■ was. called. He complained that he had ceivod the call by telephone without a moment’s notice. He seemed to bo regarded as a kind of lap-dog, drawn upon whenever they thought fit. Justice Owen reminded him that he has* 1 been subpoenaed and bo would have 'to* attend. 1 * f Crick replied : *" I wont have to do; any-'- •; thing of the sort.” &U-J. He declined to answer questions put by counsel for the Crown on the ground that he had been insulted. He was not, he said, going to allow any understrapper to ■ insult him. ~. He added that if there was anything the commission against him he would resign his seat in Parliament. ■ fi

Replying to Justice Owen he declared that he did not make a farthing out of Myall Creek. -

Asked what became of the £ISOO Bath received, be declared be would not answer in public, but had a document which he would show Justice Owen, and then of iii asked to answer the question he would cL<T so.

After Justice Owen had seen the document Crick left tho room.

In the meantime Bath was called several times, but failed te appear. Justice Owen, on adjourning the siltmg, announced that he intended to take action against Bath for his refusal to answer a question and for non-appearance. ~