THE EXHIBITION SCANDAL.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 31, 16 April 1907, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION SCANDAL.

McINTYRB OFF TO LONDON. ' I Wellington, April 12. Mr D. C. Mclntyre, lato Superintendent of Awards at the Exhibition, left by tho Turakiua for London, today, under the assumed name of " Mr Mack." It is understood that he bad been under Police surveillance since coming to Wellington, but so far as had been ascertained there was no authority for detaining him. The Acting-Premier states that the Government knew of Mclntyre's departure, but as nothing of a criminal nature was known againet him no attempt was made to detain him. Tho Police visited him aboard the vessel. The Acting-Premier said that so far no absolute irregularities had been discovered, but several cases were being investigated. In any case, he added, the Exhibition finances would not suffer materially. CANCELLATION OF AWARDS. , Christchurch, April 13. Several awards given at the Exhibition will be cancelled, as it is stated they have been improperly obtained by the aid of the official who has disappeared, SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST McINTYRE. FLEECING THE MONEY-LENDERS. Christchurch, April 14. A number of sensational stories are current in town concerning Mclntyre, and jibere is a growing feeling of surprise that he was allowed to slip away so easily. He seems to have raised considerable sums of money, on bills, from financial agents, and one of them, D. btranaghan, was victimised to the extent of £IOO on a bill purporting to be signed by a third party who has since repudiated the signature. Mr Stranaghan yesterday (Saturday) swore an information against Mclntyre, and is said to have guaranteed £SO towards the cost of his extradition from Monte Video, at which port the Turakina is expected to touch in about two weeks' time. The bill in question has been current for twelve months, and has been renewed from time to time. It is rumoured that another promissory note of a similar character (for £35) is held by a second financial agent, who is also stated to have cashed cheques for £l3 and £l4 respectively drawn by Mclntyre after his \ account had been closed. It is the, feeling among those who deem themselves to have been duped by Mclntyre that the Government (whose servant he was), and not they, should bear the expense of bringing the man back to explain his actions. A reporter spent an hour or two this (Saturday) afternoon conversing with a number of persons who should be in a position to know what are the intentions of the Government in regard to Mclntyre. He discovered quite a remarkable reticence, and no definite statement was forthcoming. In view, however, of the reticence and of the further remarkable differences in the statements made by different parties who had previously been in communication, it seems tolerably evident that something is afloat.

The Acting-Premier nfused the reporter an audience, and said, through his Secretary, that he had nothing to add to the official statement handed to the papers. A high official said " he would be surprised if the Government took no steps. He_ would consider that very extraordinary. He thought it more tban probable that Mclntyre would be brought back." Another gentleman who has the ear of the Government told the reporter that he could say nothing although he knew a lot, but he thought it highly probable that Mclntyre would get an unpleasant surprise at Monte Video. EXHIBITS TO BE RE-JUDGED. The following statement was handed to the press at 3.15 p.m. today by the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier :—(1) "Mr Munro will carry out the duties of Superintendent of Awards; (2) all awards will be issued strictly in accordance with decisions the judges have already given or will give; (3) in respect to wines and spirits, the awards having been vitiated by gross irregularities on the part ot Mr Mclntyre will ba revoked and cancelled, and each exhibitor in these classes will ha asked to submit fresh samples, which will be submitted to the judge and awards made according to his decision."