ALLEGED GRAFF

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1928, Page 3

ALLEGED GRAFF

DENIAL OF STATEMENTS

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 18. W. LI. Murray, member of the City Council and J. R. Lumlon against whom serious allegations were made in a statement by Reuben Jaffe in regard to the lease of tho Civic Square property is the subject of a lengthy letter published in the Auckland papers. Murray says: “The statement that I Lave at any time suggested to Jaffe that he contribute to the fund being raised for a Council inquiry, is fi malicious lie. Application by Jaffe for altered terms of his lease was, I ascertained, to enable him to complete n deal which would result in him getting a total profit of £IOOO a year For sixty-six years or a grand total of £66,000. Jaffe witli tho assistance of my opponents may make his £66,000, but the people of Auckland are entitled to know of it by whose assistance he succeeds.”

Lundon in n. letter also published, says “Jaffe became the so-called lessee of the key lot of the Civic Square and under circumstances of extremely good fortune to him, and of equal reprehensibility to the city administration.

Lots of tbe Civic .Square were offered on November 2, 1927, for lease upon terms which did not attract ordinary prudent commercial men. Jaffo alone had the temerity to sign an agreement on December 22nd, 3927, under the terms offered. It soon became apparent to the Mayor and committee that the terms were unwisely framed with the result that substantial modifications were mado by the City Council. The remaining lots were offered to the public accordingly quite lately. Jaffe on the 31st May last obtained from the City Council its confirmation of the modification on the same lines. He found himself in the position of being the, only permitted candidate for tbe section, which was the key to the whole commercial situation. Jaffo was forthwith able- by a signed option, to trade away the section so obtained with a profit to himself of one thousand pounds per annum for sixty years. London denies that he at any time asked Jaffo, for. any money for himself, Councillor Murray or anybody else or for any fund at all. He asserts that he (Luiulon) did not at any time suggest to Jaffe that the Mayor or Town Clerk had received anv bribe from Jaffe or anyone else.”