“MONEY FROM HOME!”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 360, 22 May 1928, Page 9

“MONEY FROM HOME!”

SYDNEY GRAFT CHARGES REMITTANCE OF £10,600 ALLEGED FUND FOR ALDERMEN (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) SYDNEY, Monday. A sum of £10,600, said to have been remitted from England for Sydney civic officials in consideration of giving a big power-house contract to Babcock and Wilcox, Ltd., is still occupying the attention of the Royal Commission which is investigating Sydney city affairs. Yesterday, Silas Y T . Maling, formerly deputy-general manager of the city’s electrical department, continued his evidence. He said when the payment to aldermen was arranged with Mr. Arthur Arnott, attorney and general manager in Australia for Babcock and Wilcox, the latter insisted on making witness a present of £2,000. Witness said he reluctantly agreed to accept the money. Witness asked him what amount he proposed to pay the aldermen and M.r. Arnott said £7.500, and £I,OOO for Alderman Holds worth. THROUGH ANOTHER ACCOUNT The tender of Babcock and Wilcox was then placed before the council, and the contract was given to that firm. Mr. Arnott came to his office and said he could not get money out from England. He said he was afraid to do so for fear it should be detected. He asked witness if he knew any way out of the difficulty. Witness said he promised to think It over for a few days. Later he met Mr. Albert in tho street accidentally and told him Mr. Arnott could not get the money out from England. Mr. Albeit then said Mr. Buckle had a much larger banking account than he had and would b© better able to handle the transaction. Subsequently, Mr. Albert told witness Mr. Buckle was prepared to let the money go through his account and that he (Mr. Albert) wanted £IOO for his services in making the arrangements with Mr. Buckle. This was agreed to. It brought the total amount of the payment to £10,600. TO ALDERMAN GREEN Witness said the next thing he heard was when Mr. Albert came to his office and told him the money had arrived from England. Witness then told the commission how he had received various amounts through Mr. Albert and Miss Gordon, which he said he had handed over to Alderman Green. Cross-examined, Mr. Maling said he told Mr. Arnott not to give Mr. Holdsworth any money, as if he did the other aldermen would not get their shares. He further stated that when he left Australia he would have returned had he received reasonable treatment from the Civic Commissioners. Before he left he had asked for leave to consult a Harley Street (London) specialist, but this was refused, so he then went to New Zealand without leave on the advice of his doctor. At this stage Mr. Justice Harvey, chairman of the commission, said ho would have to investigate the allegations in connection with the tender of International Combustions, Ltd., as it seemed to run right through the whole matter. In reply to a question Mr. Arnott said lie saw Mr. Maling just before the latter went to New Zealand. Mr. Maling told him he had decided to resign from the City Council position and he asked witness to procure him another position where he could earn not. £3,000 but £6,000 a year. Tho inquiry was adjourned until next Monday.