COAL CONTRACTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1628, 16 December 1905, Page 2

COAL CONTRACTS.

SLANDER BY MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.

HE MAKES A CLEAN BREAST. By, telegraph, Press Ass’n, Copyright Received 11,50 p.m., Dec. 15. At the Railway Commission Mr Tbow, mechanical engineer to the railways, was called. Before he was examined, Mr Soloman, a member of the Assembly, asked to be allowed to make a statement. He said he had made a statement in the Assembly which further knowledge had shown him was of an exceedingly regrettable character. He deeply regretted it, and would take the opportunity to make reparation as far as possiblo in Parliament. He had done Mr Tbow a deep injury. Mr Thow was then examined. He denied that he or his officers directly or indirectly had ever taken a bribe from a representative of any colliery with whom the Railway Commissioners dealt. He was not in any way interested in any Lithgow collieries. He gave evidence that the acceptance of coal leaders for the railways was based on tests which proved that the Litbgow Association collieries’ coal was belter suited for steaming purposes. Reoeived 1 5 a.m., Dec. 16.

At the Railway Commission Mr Holman, M.L.C., stated that the whoie course of the enquiry satisfied him that no sus~ picion could rest on the integrity of Mr Thow, the mschaniool engineer of railways.