CIVIC COAL CONTRACTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 198, 4 August 1928, Page 6

CIVIC COAL CONTRACTS

THE SYDNEY INQUIRY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST OFFICERS (Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.) Sydney, August 3. Ths civic coal contracts inquiry Ini begun before Judge Thomson, Hoyui Ci mmissioner. Mr. Shand, King's counsel, assisting the coinmisisoner, outlined the piopo-i.'i evidence. He said testimniy mule! be pioduced to show that payments were made to varjous persons to influence placing contiai'.s for the supply of coal. One firm, Byrnes, Limited, supplied coal fur sev'-ial years and counsel alleged t;ml tom.ci officers received moneys, wtii ii Lad not been traced since. One aliximan, since deceased, was ailipel to have suggested raising the pi.ee of coal in tune of stress, the difference to be divided between certain aidermen. Mr. Shand declared that he would prove payments of £1,21X1 to Woof, a former powerhouse superintendent, £2ou to Haling, £5OO to ex-Alderman Stokes and Holdsworth, and £2OO to exAlikrniai. Farrell and Bramston. Inspector Maokay gave evidence of coni cisations with Maling, who had admi’ted that £2OO reached him. but he di I not use it. but gave it to a mat. > ho was always borrowing money. Th• ,ase was adjourned till August Ulin.

James Douglas ’Adams, ex-bank manager, was sentenced by Mr Justice Sims at Wellington yesterday to three years’ reformative treatment for a breach of the Bankruptcy Act. He pleaded guilty. He brought about his bankruptcy by gambling, drunkenness, and an unjustifiably extravagant mode of living.—Press Association.