BRIBERY CHARGES

Evening Star, Issue 20196, 8 June 1929, Page 13

BRIBERY CHARGES

HEW SOUTH WALES CASE FINDING OF THE COMMISSION. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY. June 7. Mr Justice Davidson, the Royal Commissioner who, at the request of Major Jarvie, a member of the Legislative Assembly, inquired into a bribery allegation launched against Michael Fitzgibbons, in which Major Jarvie’s name was freely mentioned in subsequent bribery proceedings against Fitzgibbons, has furnished his report. Mr Justice Davidson found that Major Jarvie corruptly attempted to bribe the late Chief Secretary (Mr Bruntnell). and that he conspired with Fitzgibbons for that purpose.

The State Cabinet has now instructed the Attorney-General to institute criminal proceedings against Major Jarvie.

The recent prosecution against Fitzgijbbons failed. [lt was alleged 1 lint a case of pipes and an envelope containing two £IOO notes were placed in a table before Mr Bruntnell, the Chief Secretary, by a prominent Nationalist member on behalf of an Ashfield constituent. The Premier (Mr T. R. Bavin 1 directed the Crown law authorities to prosecute the person who Avars alleged to have been 'responsible for the atfemnt to bribe the Chief Secretary. The Premier was of the opinion that tho £2OO Avas evidently intended to influence the Chief Secretary to faA'our a certain proposal. Mr Bruntnell, at tho outset, declined the gifts, and directed the departmental attendant to return them immediately the Nationalist member had left tho room. It Avas then that the envelope containing £2OO Avas discovered beneath the case of pipes.]