COMMONWEALTH NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 27 May 1915, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH NEWS.

MEMORIAL SERVICE TO GENERAL BRIDGES.

DEFENCE CONTRACT SCANDALS

HIGH COURT INDICTMENTS

ISSUED

FORGERY AND CONSPIRACY

ALLEGED

, SYDNEY, May 26. .There was a big attendance, including Sir Gerald Strickland (the Governor), and heads of the defence forces, at General Bridges' memorial service. The Archbishop, in a stirring address, said : "Pause a little and pay a tribute of sorrow and respect to nis grave, ana then realise that the first call upon us is £o take up the task for which he died and* prosecute it to the bitter end."

MELBOURNE, May 26. In connection with the defence contracts allegations, High Court indictments have been issued by the xlttor-ney-General (Mr Hughes) against Arthur Kidman, of Sydney, alleging forgery and uttering certain documents, i.e., tenders for military supplies; and against the same defendant, together with Major Arthur George O'Donnell and Sergeant Leslie, of Sydney, alleging conspiracy to cheat and defraud the Commonwealth of large sums of. money in connection with the supplies of goods for the defence forces of the Commonwealth, jby procuring that the Commonwealth should pay excessive prices for such goods. The indictments allege four conspiracy .offences, and against Arthur Kidman two charges of forgery and uttering between August, 1914, and the current month.. SYDNEY, May 26. Sergt. -Major Poole was convicted on two charges of stealing, and was sentenced to two years' hard labor. The cases of the other accused were held over. .