SYDNEY COAL ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1928, Page 3

SYDNEY COAL ENQUIRY

(Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, Aug. 16'. At the Coal Commission to-day, Mr J. Mostyn, a former Lord Mayor of Sydney, liatly declined to produce an agreenint between his wife and the Austral Investment Coy. and also liatly refused to answer any questions regardin’’ the nature of shares held by lus wife and submitted a medical certification saying that his wife was too ill to attend. SYDNEY, Aug. 16. At the coal commission, Mrs Mostyn entered the witness l>ox later. She declined to produce n document. Ex-Al-derman English, who was called also declined to produce a certain document. He declared that he would not answer any questions relating to this enquiry until lie had the opportunity of consulting counsel. He complained that while the authorities had been working for three months on the case, he. had only received his subpoena last night. Harry Moore, a coal agent, gave evidence that he was informed in 1921 that unless a considerable amount of money were paid, his firm s tender foi coal would not he accepted by the City Council. Witness told of a visit to Ex-Alderman Holdsworth’s hotel at \\ oolloomooloo. where he overheard conversation in which it was stated that a paynient.of £SOO and a commission of 2s a ton were necessary to secure a Council contract. Witness said he also saw Maling. who said he could influence the placing of a contract if witness would pay him two and a-lialf per cent, commission on coal that allegedly was to l’*e sold in- Melbourne. He (Moore) replied that this was an improper thing to suggest, and that he would only tender on the merits of the coal. His tender was rejected. Peacock securing the contract, and asking witness to sell him 10.000 tons. AVitness asked Maling what it nil meant, and why if his coal were not good enough for the tender, it should go to the city through someone else. Maling said he did not know that. Shortly afterwards Peacock cancelled the contract with witness’s firm. At this stage the hearing was adjourned. Air Mostyn complained that he had received his subpoena only last night. Richard AYoofe. former Superintendent of the Electrical Power House, admitted receiving payments of £8 to £lO monthly over a period of seven i years in 1920. This was paid him by Johnston in notes. Once in 1918 he received £3OO, which he shared with Alalin». Witness had received, money from other contractors, some of which was paid, to Afaling.