BRIBERY CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1933, Page 6

BRIBERY CHARGE

astounding evidence.

(United Prf»» Association—By Electrio Talegraph—Copyright.)

(Received this day at 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 18. Harris told an astounding story of wholesale bribery in connection with the London fires, when giving evidence at Bow Street. H t . .alleged that he bribed almost the entire salvage corps, th 6 members of which came openly to his office, some times in uniform, to receive'money. He declared the salvage corps was corrupt before he was born. He did not initiate the bribery. It wag simply a matter of competing with their .competitors' methods. The salvage corps-gave better service to the assessor paying the biggest shilling. :■ Counsel produced a Get of certain member's-of the corps, and a s ked Harris to strike out the n a mes of those bribed. •He replied: -It is simpler to_ strike out the only man I have not bribed. I even bribed his father whose name appeals on the list. He added : 1 never approached anyone with a view to bribery. I only bribed those who came •itf me, indicating that they were susceptible to money payments.

FURTHER DISCLOSURES,

(Received thi s day at 12.50 p.m.)

•Harris told Oliver that Capstan, rn the course ,of- an unfriendly tearful interview after iCapsoni had been kicked .out of office, : sought £2OOO to leave the country. Harold Ralph, fire assessor, in bis 'evidence stated that Miles ridiculed the idea that the salvage officers were going to Harris 1 offices for their pay.

Ralph made allegations against the superintendent, whose name was . <hot disclosed in court,- but. Miles declared that the faintest suspicion of any salvagers helping Harris would be incalculably harmful. Ralph offered to produced a book in Harris’ handwriting, detailing each payment, but he -failed to obtain it. Witness paid the man £5 a week for information. The same man kept Harris informed. The case was adjourned to December CO.