AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1928, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

(Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY GRAFT CHARGES. SYDNEY, August 14. Nieol Peacock, a coal agent, gave evidence before the Sydney Coal Commission, saying that while endeavouring in 1921 to place a contract to supply Sydney City Council with thirty thousand tons of coal, he was told that he would probably be asked t o pay some money over if successful. Witness bad replied that if he had to, lie supposed he would do so. His tender was accepted, and lie was told £3OO was to he paid, and that Silas Maling would be in a certain street to receive the money. Witness took £3OO in an encvlope to the place mentioned. Johnston, formerly manager for Rvrne’s, Ltd., who had made the arrangement, was with him, and handed the envelope to Maling, who looked inside, and then drove off. Peacock said he also paid Woof, the City Council’s Mechanical Superintendent, sums of money from time to time, and because Woof complained that lie had had nothing for himself, witness paid Woof a tonnage rate of a half-penny or a penny per ton for nine months. Woof told him ho had received £IOO from Johnston, hut none of it was for himself.

James Johnston, ex-manager for Byrne’s, Ltd., said sums of money had been paid for commission on coal from the early days. In 1921. lie was after a contract on behalf of the Central Coal and Shipping Agency. When Brnmston told him Alderman Farrell could get it through for £2OO, he gave the money to Farrell, and secured the contract. Witness had previously seen Haling, who had told him he would get the contract i'f the money were paid, lie told Maling he would give £ISOO as commission on a tonnage basis. Subsequently £I2OO was paid to Woof, leaving £3OO for Maling, who was advised thereof by telephone. The hearing was adjourned. ANGLICAN BISHOP’S ENGAGEMENT (Received this day at 9.30 a.m). SYDNEY, August 15. Anglican circles are excited at the announcement to-day of the engagement of Darcy Irvine, Bishop-Coadju-tor c<f the Diocese of Sydney, to Miss Angus, of Neutral Bay. She was an intimate friend of the late Mrs Darcy Irvine, who died fourteen months ago. Irvine, born in 1862, is an outstanding figure in the Anglican Church life of this State.