TRIAL OF MALING

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1928, Page 2

TRIAL OF MALING

OVF.It BABCOCK TENDER.

(Australian Press Association.)

SYDNEY, July 23.

The hearing of the case in which Silas Young Alaling is charged with corruptly receiving £10,600 in connection with the power-house contract between tlie Babcock-AVilcox Company and the City Council, opened to-day. Air Layton, .Town Clerk, descrilied the receipt of the tenders for the work, and Afaling’s recommendation of the Babcock-AVilcox tender. He (witness) was not sure, however, whether it was the lowest amount. Tlie City Council’s policy was to assist Australian enterprise .as far as possible. The Electricity Committee gave its approval to Ataling’s recommendation unanimously. That Committee included three Aldermen who were opposed to the Labour Party. Air Aloate (Clerk of the Electricity Committee) deposed that tlie records would not show if the decision were unanimous. He had heard suggestions of graft made in tlie Council.

SYDNEY

July 23

In tlie Alaling case, the Manager for the Babcock-Wiloox Coy., produced credentials. He then asked to be excused from answering questions.

Legal argument followed, but the witness eventually proceeded with liis evidence. He said that he had seen Alaling several times regarding the tender in March. 1926. Alaling told witness that a gang behind him wanted five thousand sterling, and lie wanted £2500 before the Babcock-AVilcox Coy. could get the contract. Witness had urged that as the firm’s tender was the lowest, and that they had works in Australia, they should not pay anything. Later he suggested that five thousand should lie enough. Alaling replied that that was no use. He had to have £7500 in April. Afaling told, witness that the International Combustion Coy. Ltd., put up fifteen thousand to get the contract and that the money was in the hands of a third party, hut those behind him (Alaling) would give the Babcock-AA T ilcox Coy. the contract if they got ten thousand. Witness then replied there was no margin in the tender to pay that amount. Alaling told him that £7500 to £BOOO would go to the gang. The hearing was adjourned.