SYDNEY GRAFT" CHARGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 194, 17 August 1922, Page 5

SYDNEY GRAFT" CHARGE.

BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS. MEW ROADING SCHEMES. SYDNEY, August IG. Charles Knight was charged to-day with having incited Hector McWilHam (secretary of the Martin Place Extension Committee) to conspire with him and unknown persons to bribe certain alderman of the City Council in connection with the extension scheme. McWilliam gave evidence that Knight interviewed him and asked what were the relations of the Martin Place Extension Committee with the City Council. Witness said that he was uncertain whether the council was in favour of the scheme or not. Knight then said: "This is where I can help you. Certain aldermen can be induced to vote in favour of the scheme, but it needs about £1,000." Witness promised to gel the property owners affected by the Fcheme to provide the money, and after arranging for a further meeting informed the police. He met Knight later, when KnigJit said: •You would l>e surprised how easy it is to do this thing." lmt when witness informed him that he did not. have the money Knight .said the matter was off. For the defence. Knight said that he was "laying for" McWilliam to find out whether the big property owners were putting up money for the scheme, and on the morning of his arrest he was arranging to get in touch with the \A>rtl Mayor to inform him what had transpired. Knight was committed for trial.— (A. and S.Z. Cable.)