NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1919, Page 5

NORTHERN TERRITORY.

4 m EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COM- | MISSION. j A SEVERE EXAMINATION. j By Teloerapli,—Presi Awn.—Copyrljkt, Received Dec. 21, 5.5 p.m. Darwin, Dec. 21. Before the Commission Judge Bevan was further lengthily questioned regard- ,i ing advances of Government money on 1 mines in which he was interested, Judge Ewing pointed out that witness had wready admitted that the Administrator of the Territory made advances to him- * i self and others. i Judge Bevan denied a suggest ionbyMf. Barrett (a solicitor) that a represent*- ' . i tive of the Mines Depart m«it was jockeyed into relaxing the white labot regulations, and that he would Jurre lost his job if he. had given the rnUag Jm> * did. Judge Bevan said he knew notUBK about what the Mines Department did. Mr. Barrett interjected: "Perbapt'-Mr Gilruth looked after that." Further drastic questioning rshM t# Judge Bevan's administration of jMttaMt Judge. One inoidefit referred to mt the quashing of a whole jury panel fo* alleged irregularity. To Mr. BarWtt"» question, "Is it not a fact that no jury will convict anyone before font" Judge (Bevan replied: '1 hava heard. that .stated."—Aua.-N-Z. Cable Ann. EVIDENCE AS TO MDtOTC LEASES. Darwin* Xte. SO. ' After hearing Judge Betan's evidedcS. , regarding the AiTino lease formulated a further chaige agate* Git i ruth and Bevan; That as otaM* if' ij ' two-thirds of the Arrino mine they bid > taken it up in the name of Hope, a auk ' without means, and that advanoes weri 1 made and approved by the artminto* j trator to Hope that were really for Hat benefit of Hope, Gilruth and Bevan. Aflother charge was also submitted again* Bevan that he frequently advised the t Crown in matters upon which h* at ft ■* ' Judge might have to sit in judgflWft; that he had not administered law nd justice in the territory; that by his fftAeral conduct he brought the judiciary into evil repute and lowerfed the dignity of British justice; and that he itit ; not a fit person to administer the Uw. In reply to further questions Befan denied that he obtained special concessions for working the Arrino mine, but admitted that he supplied stores to «ea\ who were working the mine. Questioned regarding the lease of the • Daley mine and a provision therein stipulating the employment of white labor and the preventing others ftpplying for it, and the subsequent em- : nloyment of Chinese and black boys, Bevan said he knew nothing regarding the conditions until he put in a tender. Asked if, by his influence, he got the white labor stipulations suspended Bevan replied that he simply made representations and the Director of Mines concurred. He carried out the stipulation as far as possible, hut white labor was unprocurable. He denied that before taking over the lewse he want to the mine to spy out the land for Gilruth and himself. Further questioned about Gilruth taking a half share in the mine when Bevan was making a dead loss Bevan said : that he was going to throw it up, and DTobably Gilruth did not want that. The mine was looking fairly promising and he considered Gilruth's action was that of a good friend.