“GRAFT” INQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1928, Page 1

“GRAFT” INQUIRY

(Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY. Ally 29. Ai Hie Royal Commission inquiring into civic affairs, in reply l<> a question put bv counsel for Albert, Silas .Maling said that it was only after liis rot-urn from New Zealand that he fixed the amount of money left with Albeit at CI,UK). Before that while in New Zealand, he had told Police Inspector Mackay that Albert had £2,(500 of the £IO,OOO.

In reply to further questions, Moling said that he did not tell Inspector Maekav ihe real facts in New Zealand, as he was trying to protect himself, pending seeing his solicitor, and lie also had it in mind that lie (Maekav j night make public the facts el tho tender transaction.

In reply to Mr Sliand (Counsel for City Commissioners), Mrs Rittoek saiil that after her return from New Zealand, she interviewed ex-Alder-man Green, and told him that the money transact ion between himself and Maling had somehow become known, and (lint there was trouble about it. Alderman Green appealed greatly alarmed, and said that he would make inquiries, and see if he could find out anything. Alderman Green had later suggested that the best tiling he (Mating) could do was to denv the whole, matter. SYDNEY. May 29.

At the inquiry, All's Pittock said while in Wellington, .Milling received a letter from Albert, in which lie said “that Maling bad used him and that tbe writer bad been an old fool. AA it11ess then told ol the interview which she had with Arnot in Sydney when she asked Arnot to pay the income tax on CIO.C>OO. for which Maling has received an assessment. Arnot said “Tt strikes me that Milling is in the coup.” Witness had replied: “)Ycs. And you are in the soup too. Arnot!” Arnot then said: "f wish I had handled the transaction myself. It would, have been cheaper. Til the first- place, 1 gave Maling a substantial sum to handle the transaction, and now lie has gone and mucked the whole thing up! AA’liy does not Muling pay the money?” Witness to this bad replied that Maling was not going to pay the money and Arnot replied that he had nothing lo fear, as he had handed the matter over to his directors to deaf with. In reply to a question by Air Sband as to whether attempts had been made to book passages for herseld and Maling to America or England from New Zealand, witness said that Maling had made inquiries, bat he could not get berths on board the “Tahiti ” Tins was six weeks beiorc bo left Now Zealand.