AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1928, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

GRAFT ENQUIRY.

THE COMMISSIONER’S FINDINGS

(Australian Press Association

(Received this day at 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 23. 1

The report of Justice Harvey, Royhl Commissioner, who investigated the allegations of graft in connection 1 with city contracts for the supply of plant for electric works, finds Arnot, the Sydney representative of Badcock and Wilcox, had, as the result of interviews with Muling, the deputy-manager of the Electricity Department, committed his company to make a payment for distribution between Milling and certain unnamed Labour Aldermen, as the price for securing the Sydney City Council’s acceptance of Badcock and Wilcox tender.

The Commissioner finds difficulty in tracing the monies after they readied Malings hands, hut the evidence lends to tho belief that the money was paid to ex-Alderman Green, as Mnlihg suggests. The judge prefers to rely on the witness Albert’s account of the financial dealings in connection with the receipt of moneys from England, than on that of Maling who proved an untrustworthy witness.

Regarding ex-Alderman Holdswortli, the judge says lie believes Holdswortli (lid aprpoach Arnot with-a request for a money payment to secure liis support for the firm’s tender. There was no evidence to support the suggestion that the International Combustion Company was privy to its Sydney manager, Hutchinson’s, action in asking the company to cable £15,000 for “preliminary expenses.” The Commissioner considers the citizens interests were iinliarilled by the corrupt bargain l>etwoon Arnot and Maling and Badcock and Wilcox tender probably would have been accepted if no bargaining or promise of money had been made. COOKS’ DISPUTE SYDNEY. June 22. The Cooks bavie made a definite move towards ending the dispute, having proposed to the ship owners, that the latter may pick up Cooks at any place' which the owners consider desirable. This move obviates the last hitch to a settlement. lit iis now anticipated that peace in the industry will be si>eedily restored, and that all vessels incuding the Uli'maroa wi’l he recommissioned. GARDEN SENTENCED FOR TRIAL SYDNEY, * J une 22. Jock Garden (Secretary c.f the Trades’ Council) was to-day committed for trial on all the charges (cabled on June 14th.) including those of allegedly inciting to murder. He was allowed hail in each case. I’OWEL ALGOHOL. f BOWEN, June 23.

A Queensland part of Victorian tourists and investors have arrived from iSarina which they described as a land of magic, where a local organisation has commenced the production of power alcohol from waste .molasses. This liquid fuel, according to practical driving tests, is better than anything .already being used. It can be manufactured ■at tlie rate of a million gallons yearly. FLIERS SAIL TO-DAY. SYDNEY, June 23. The fliers Lyon and Warner are sailing to-day by the Sonoma. Lyon has just received tragic news of the death of his mother at Maine, U.S.A.