HELD NO GRAFT MONEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 374, 7 June 1928, Page 9

HELD NO GRAFT MONEY

NEWSPAPER DIRECTOR’S DENIAL SYDNEY CORRUPTION INQUIRY (United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, Wednesday. The Sydney Royal Commission is still inquiring into the graft allegations concerning' the Bunnerong power-house contract. Mr. H. D. Mclntosh, a newspaper director, through counsel, stated that he desired to refute a statement made in a document submitted to the commission yesterday, but not read, that he was holding £15,000 for the International Combustion Company, in connection with the tenders for the Bunnerong contract. In reply to a question by Mr. Shand, Mr. Mclntosh said he was never approached by anybody, nor had he any conversation about acting for the International Combustion Company in that direction. Mr. Arnott, who was recalled, stated in evidence that he remembered Mr. Maling telling him that the £15,000 was in the hands of Mr. H. D. McIntosh, ready to hand over if the International Combustion Company got the contract. BID FOR THE CONTRACT Mr. Charles Bridges, an ex-alderman of the City Council, stated in evidence that Mr. Hutchinson, general manager of the International Combustion Company, made the proposal that witness should use his influence with the City Council to have the company's tender accepted. Witness agreed to do this for £15,000, but when Mr. Hutchim son's principals learned of the arrangement they repudiated it, and the company's tender was withdrawn. Mr. Bridges denied that any of the other aldermen were even aware of his arrangement with Mr. Hutchinson.