ALLEGED BRIBERY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 December 1928, Page 9

ALLEGED BRIBERY.

GIFT WITH MONEY ATTACHED.

OFFERED TO NEW SOUTH WALES

MINISTER,.

kited y esa Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.! (Australian Press Association.) Received 1.40 p.m. to-day.

SYDNEY, Deo. 21. The hearing has begun of a charge of bribery against Micnael Fi|tzgibboms, an omnihue proprietor. The Chief Secretary, the Hon. A. Bruntnell. related that Major Jarvie, a fellow-Pariiaimentarian, brought him gift pipes, to which was attached envelopes containing two £IOO notes. Eitzgibbons was an applicant for a. bus route, which required Mr Bruntnel’s official sanction, for which Fitzgibbons had a rival named MoN/ichol. Mr Bruntnel refused 1 (the gifts' and interviewed Major Jarvie, who said he did not know the £2OO accompanied the pipes. Detective Morgan interviewed Major Jarvie last Saturday„ and said to him: “I hear an ugly rumour about you getting £3OO out of this transaction. Major Jarvie replied: “It is incorrect. I am an honourable man. I know I look foolish in the eyes of the public. Ho added that he did not know the £2OO was in the envelope with the pipes. . A statement was also obtained from Fitzgibbons, who declared that the pipes were a present for. Mr Bruntnel as a mark of appreciation of the time and attention he had given to. fire; bus route application, but the. £2OO wais intended for toe National Party’s funds. Milton Jarvie gave evidence that he wais with Fitzgibbons when the pipes were brought. Hei saw nothing . improper in a gift of pipes' to. the Minister from one of his constituents, but he had no idea that two £IOO notes went with the pipes. The hearing was adjourned.