ARMY STORES SCANDAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1530, 11 August 1905, Page 3

ARMY STORES SCANDAL

Tho references to Oolonol Morgan's brothoc and to Movers in tho roporl aro as follows iiuferiiug to Me F. 0. Morgan, brother , o( Colonel Morgau, tho report soya:—Ho ■ is desoribod as oivil advisor aud treasurer of tho Sports Ohib at Eloff's farm, whilo ho also appoara to havo beun tho holder of various agencies aod oooupations in tho oompauioß or firms who toudorod for tho supply aud purohaso oontraots. Ho is said to have boon a froquont visitor to tho oflloe of tho Dirootor of Supplies, hoik bofore and after Oolonol Morgan loft Pretoria, and in tho former period he appoars to have resided with bis brother. Ho ii agent for Meyor and Company, for English aod Company, and appoara in a similar oapaoity, or as a partnor, to Wilson and Worthington, in a doal ovor chaff. He was also oonneoted with tho field foroo oautoen in tbo purohaso of ofgarettos in Egypt. Ho remained in South Afnoa after Oolouo[ Morgan quitted tho oountry. Next tho committee turn to tho firm of Meyor, Limited. Tho head of tbo firm,Mr Moyer, figured in tho first Cold Storage Company, as agent, and iu that capacity entored Pratoria with Earl Roberts, He also figures in prominent connootion with tho second Cold Storage Company, tho Imperial. Ho is also a leodoror to pur-

ohaso our supplies of forage at the same time that he has been selected to supply 'us with forage. He is spoken of by many witnesses in different terms, and various nationalities are ascribed to him ; but all are agreed that ho was a porson possessing a remarkable mental grasp of the necessities of a fiuanoiat situation. The exaot dato or causo upon which Mr Mayor severed his connection with the second or . Imperial Cold Storage Company is not olear to the oommitteo, but it would appear that ho had formed the oompany known as “ Moyer, Limited," in August or September, 1902, The oompany, outside Mr Meyer, is not so easily dosoribed. Various witnesses refer to the company as consisting of Moyer’s relations, " A family concern formed to take over the contract (for supply), and they got it.” "A mushroom firm," “ A firm of yotterday, “ dependsu upon the acceptance of that tender" (for supply), in Colonol Morgan’s own words. While Meyer himself, who personally oonduoted the negotiations, is described by the Pay Deportment as 11 a very difiiouit man to get money from,"

11 generally slipped out of hia unuottak' ings," “in danger of going into liquida' tion” (unless assisted by the army, etc). Oolouol Morgan left Pretoria on November 2, 1902, and at that time “ Meyer and Company stood almoßt alone in the field of tender.” Mr Meyer’s tender for the bupply of forage, submitted on October 1, was formally accepted by Colooel Hipwell on September 25. "It is admitted that for many weeks prior to those dates Meyer was a .frequent visitor at the offico of the Director of Supplies. 'He was in my office every Cloy.’ It is also admitted that Meyer was permit'ed to amend his formal tenders to buy, a privilege not given to others. A comparison botwceu the prices at which Meyer was to buy from, and Bell to us, at Pretoria (0.g.), will bo easily soon

from tha following : Meyers paid usfor cats lls po? lOOlbj o&u hay and hay 10s por 1001 b, bran 9s 3d per 1001 b, mealieß 9s 6d per 1001 b. Wo paid Meyer for oats 17s lljd per 1001 b, oat bay and hay 17s BJd per 1001 b, bran 14s 31 per 1001 b, mealies 16s OJd per 1001 b. On or about January 10, 1903, Meyer was formally deolared the putohasor of a vast quantity of-forage throughout the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. Ten days earlier he had already begun to supply the troops at rates which probably made him the readiest reckoner of profit of whom the history of military contracts has any record. Taking the item of oats as an example, the conditions of his donble deal left him approximately a gainer of £1 sterling upon every 3001 b of oats which; we sold him, and which he transferred baok to us.”