With Mating in N.Z.

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 367, 30 May 1928, Page 9

With Mating in N.Z.

MRS. PITTOCK’S EVIDENCE Sydney Civic Graft Scandal MRS. PITTOCK, who has beeu associated by 'Mrs. .Maling: in the divorce petition against Silas Y. Mating, gave evidence yesterday before the Royal Commission which is investigating the Sydney graft scandal. It was revealed that she, as well as Maling, had taken a trip to New Zealand, and her evidence showed that she knew something about the transactions. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright)

SYDNEY, Tuesday. The Royal Commission which is investigating the Sydney graft charges is still concerned with the payment into the account of Mr. F. Buckle of £10,600, said to have been sent from England for letting a contract to Babcock and Wilcox, Limited, of London, for plant for the Sydney power-house: and the alleged handing over of that sum in instalments to Mr. Maling, through Mr. A. F. Albert, a moneylender, and his clerk, Miss Martha Gordon. In reply to Mr. A. B. Shand, K.C., who appeared to assist the Royal Commission, Mrs. Pittock said that alter she returned from New Zealand she interviewed ex-Alderman Green and told him that the money transaction between himself and Mr. Maling had somehow become known and that there was trouble about it. Mr. Green appeared to be greatly alarmed and said he would make inquiries and see if he could find out anything. Later Mr. Green suggested that the best thing Mr. Maling could do would be to deny the whole matter. Continuing, Mrs. Pittock said that while she was in Wellington Mr. Maling received a letter from Mr. Albert in which the writer said Mr. Maling had used him, and that he (Mr. Albert) had been an old fool. Witness then told of the interview she had with Mr. Amott in Sydney, when she asked him if he would pay income-tax on the £10,600 for which Mr. Maling had received an assessment. “IN THE SOUP” Mrs. Pittock said Mr. Arnoit replied: It strikes me Mr. Maling is “in the soup.” Witness replied: Yes, and you are “in the soup,” coo. Mr. Arnott then said: I wish I had handled the transaction myself. It would have been cheaper. I gave Mr. Maling a substantial sum to handle the transaction, and now he has gone and “mucked the whole thing up.” Why does not he pay the money? Witness said she replied that Mr. Maling was not going to pay the money and that Mr. Arnott said he had nothing to fear, as he had handed the matter over to his directors to deal with. In reply to a question by Mr Shand, if attempts had been made to book passages for witness and Mr. Maling to America, or to England, from New Zealand, witness said Mr. Maling had made Inquiries, but he could not secure berths on board the Tahiti. That was six weeks before he left New Zealand. “TO PROTECT HIMSELF”

Earlier, the cross-examination of Mr. Maling had been continued by Mr.

Brian Fuller, counsel for Mr. Albert. Witness said it was only after his return from New Zealand that he had fixed the amount of money he had with Mr. Albert at £l,lOO. Before that, while he was m New Zealand, he had told Inspector Mackay that Mr. Albert had received £2,600 of the £10,600. In reply to further questions witness said he did not tell Inspector Mackay the real facts in New Zealand, because he was trying to protect himself until he could consult his solicitor. He had also had in mind the fact that he might make public the facts of the tender transaction. ARRAY OF LAWYERS Mr. A. B. Shand, K.C., and Mr. P. D. Shortland (instructed by the Crown Solicitor), appeared to assist the Royal Commission: Mr. S. Mack, K.C.. and Mr. G. Turner appeared for Babcock and Wilcox, Limited, and Mr. Arthur James Aanott; Mr. W. A. Holman, K.C.. and Mr. A. J. de Baun for Mr. Maling. the city solicitor. Mr. T. W. K. Waldron, for the City Commission; and Mr. Brian Fuller for Mr. Albert. Mr. R. Windeyer, K.C., and Dr. Evatt watched the interests of certain ex-aldermcn.