THE ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO BRIBE A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 10229, 21 June 1883, Page 2

THE ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO BRIBE A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL.

(per united pkess association.)

Auckland, June 20,

Great public interest is taken in the charge against Stevens, the commission agent, formerly of the Colonial TreasuryDepartment, of an alleged attempt to bribe Mr T. W. Lewis, the Undersecretary of the Native Department, with an offer of 200 guineas, to influence the disposal of certain native lands at Cororuandel. Oa the case coming on before Mr Seth Smith, E.M., there was a large attendance iv Court. Messrs Theo. Cooper and E. T. Dufaur appeared for the defendant, and Mr Hudson Williamson, the Crown Solicitor, for the prosecution. T. W. Lewis deposed to the circumstances under which he met Stevens in Auckland, and the offer made by letter (produced) dated Gth December, 1882. Lewis replied to this letter in indignant terms, and informed Stevens that he could not treat the letter as confidential, but would submit it to the Native Minister, who was not unlikely to take proceedings against him, Stevens sought an interview with Lewis, which was denied, and Stevens then wrote i reply stating that he was grieved beyond measure that his letter had i been misunderstood. He concludes it by saying : — " I trust I know myself and you too well to dream of offering a bribe. I trust to your honor not to take advantage of a, lapsus lingua: over badly worded expressions. I withdraw the letter. Pleaso think no more of it." In his evidence Lewis stated that he had nothing to do with the Laud Purchase Department, although this was a branch of his department. A recommendation from him to purchase land would, he believed, have considerable weight with the Native Minister. He would do it in the ordinary office way, although the administration of the department was not within his function. Mr Theot Cooper addressed the Court, and said that the evidence disclosed no offence Mr Cooper quoted from various authorities, and held that, even if an offer of 200 guineas had been made, and accepted by Lewis, he might have rendered himself liable to dismissal, but no. to pvosuculion, as thero was no criws. He snbmittad that the country should not bo put to the oyi>j'iao v' sendintr tho case to tho Supro-ne Court. Mr Williamson w&uud to llio oonirnry, aail hold that it wuu not ior the Court to decide iht^o points. His 'vVorskip re■ifirvwi L]V. dc-tiainti ou llie points raised till .-'.>.;•:• ■■;,-. D.>:\-!n.i-»nli was ,iilow-:il

t'l fjo c a ills 'yvn «i'i?Ojj;MUllH:i'S 01 KoO.