ATTEMPT AT BRIBERY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 684, 8 June 1929, Page 9

ATTEMPT AT BRIBERY

N.SAV. LEGISLATOR TO BE PROSECUTED STATE CABINET’S DECISION SYDNEY, Friday. Mr. Justice Davidsoin, the Royal Commissioner who at the request of Mapor M. L. F. Jarvie, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, inquired into the allegation of bribery made against Michael Fitzgibbons, in December, in which Major Jarvie’s name was freely mentioned in the subsequent proceedings against Fitzgibbons, has furnished his report. His Honour found that Major Jarvie had corruptly attempted to bribe the late Chief Secretary, Mr. A. Bruntnell, and that he had conspired with Fitzgibbons for that purpose.

The State Cabinet has now instructed the Attorney-General, Mr. F. S. Boyce, to institute criminal proceedings against Major Jarvie.

In December a case of pipes, to which was attached an envelope containing two £IOO notes, was laid on the table of Mr. A. Bruntnell (Chief Secretary for New South Wales) by Major Jarvie, Nationalist member for Ashfield in the Assembly. Investigation was instantly made. Jarvie said he got the pipes from Michael Fitzgibbons, who desired him to give them to Mr. Bruntnell, and that he did not know there was money with them. It was revealed that Fitzgibbons was an applicant for a bus route, and required the Chief Secretary’s sanction. Fitzgibbons was charged with attempted bribery, but successfully defended himself, saying he intended the money for the party funds. But it was also established that Fitzgibbons had drawn altogether £SOO from the bank. Jarvie denied a suggestion that he got the £3OO. A witness, Arthur Cooper, superintendent of the public service telephones, said he was present at a meeting between Fitzgibbons and Major Jarvie, who admitted that he had received £3OO in addition to the £2OO mentioned. Jarvie said he was holding his £3OO “up his sleeve.” Fitzgibbons wanted it back, and later witness received it on his behalf, as Jarvie did not wish that they should be seen together.