AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1924, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

ICBTHALIAN AND N.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION. CROPLEY INQUIRY. .SYDNEY, Nov. 12. Alderman AYalker at the Croplcy Inquiry was examined in reference to the allegations that Cropley was to pel £l-I. POP for his lease if £ICOD wcro paid in a certain quarter. lie declared that Cropley pestered him to pel too matter finalised. Il was he who moved that Cropley he given no more than £I2, POP. lie denied that he ever .sil.LCgested that Cropley or anyone Ci.so should get £l l.olio. if he were paid £IOOO. It. was a deliberate falsehood, and a damnable lie to say so. Alderman Walker was also examined before tiie Cropley Ooinnikssion in reference to the alleged gift of £2*b in connection with the erection of a street petrol pump. Walker said tl -it at the request of the agent for ;he property concerned, which was in his ward, lie assisted ill getting the mallei before the Council, 'file day after the Council passed the pump, the intent came and thanked him. and j ut a cheque into his hand. lie (Walker) asked: “AYhaL’s that for?" The agent had replied: “For the I rouble you l.:nl taken." AYalker said he never ! invested. asked for, or inferred that I e required anythin". The agent said : ‘•That's all riirht. A'oii saved us a lot of trouble and worry. Accept this as a personal present from me.'’ AYalker added in evidence: I aid: “If you put it. that way. I see no harm in doing so.” T neither looked upon it as a bribe, nor suggested or inferred it in any .shape of torm. I regarded the cheque as similar to the subscription which the political parties receive, and to the motor cirs placed at their disposal on election days.”