MALING'S SENTENCE.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 19391, 17 August 1928, Page 14

MALING'S SENTENCE.

CAUSES PROFOUND IMPRESSION. (FBOH OVK OWN COEEESPOKDENT.) SYDNEY, August 9. Obviously crestfallen and bewildered was Silas Young Maling when he heard the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon him in the summons Court on Tuesday, when he was adj sdged guilty by tha Magistrate of having corruptly received the sum of £10,600 as a reward for recommending the acceptance by the City Council of the tender of Babcock and Wilcox, Ltd., for plant for the new city power house. But Maling was not the only one surprised and astounded. The imposition of a term of imprisonment as well as a fine of £SOO has created a profound impression among a community not as a rule easily impressed. Sydney people have become so accustomed to graft charges, and to the realisation that graft existed, that they had not recognised the serious nature of the offence. Maling will probably be the means of teaching them a severe lesson,.and to this extent the prosecution may go a long way towards purifying the public life of the State. It certainly increases the interest in the charges yet to be heard against two former aldermen in regard to the same transaction, and adds to the importance of the pending enquiry into City Council coal contracts.

There was,an air of suppressed excitement in the Court when the Magistrate prepared to give his decision. The Magistrate himself was visibly effected. Ho spoke slowly and deliberately, as though he was fully aware of the dramatic announcement he was about to make. Addressing the defendant, he said: "I have given this case the most careful consideration, and I have decided that on the evidence the defendant must be convicted. Maling, yon are convicted of a gross offence, calculated to shock the moral sense of every rightthinking person in the community. You have proven completely false to your trust and you have prostituted your important office by levying blackmail on persons endeavouring to do business with your principals. The offence is undoubtedly debasing in the fact that yon were indirectly tho trusted servant of the general body of the people of Sydney. Offences of this nature must inevitably be destructive of all commercial morality. The only doubt I have on the question of punishment is whether the penalty provided by the law is in any degree adequate to the gravity of your offence. You are sentenced to imprisonment for a period of six months with hard labour. You are fined £SOO, or in default, imprisonment for a period of twelve months with hard labour." The Magistrate, in reply to counsel said that he conld not think of extending to Maling the benefits of the First Offenders Act. Notice of appeal was given and Maling was admitted to bail in a personal suretv of £2OO, and a recognisance of £2OO.

The appeal will be heard at the Quarter Sessions in September, __.