DARWIN INQUIRY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18285, 22 December 1919, Page 6

DARWIN INQUIRY.

ADMINISTRATION OF NORTHER! TERRITORY. COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. By TeUjjr&ph—Pres* Association-—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. DARWIN. December 20. After hearing Judge Beyan’s evi dence regarding the Arrino leaee Judge Ewing formulated a furthe charge against Dr Gilruth and Judg Bevan that they wore owners of two thirds of the Arrino mine, which wa taken up in the name of Hope, a mm without means, and that advances wer made and approved by the Administra tor to Hone that wero really for th benefit of Hope, Dr Gilruth and Judg< Bevan. Another charge was also submittev against Judge Bevan that he frequent ly advised the Crown in matters upoi which he, as Judge, might have to si in judgment; that he had not admin istered law and justice in the Terri torv; that by his general conduct h< had brought tho judiciary into evil re pute and lowered tho dignity of Britisl justice; and that ho was not ft fit per son to administer the law. In reply to further questions Judg' Bevan denied that he had obtainec special concessions for working the -Arrino mine, but admitted that he hat supplied stores to the men working the mine. Questioned regarding the lease of tho Daly mine and "the provision eon tained in it stipulating for the employ ment of white labour and preventing others applying for it. and the subsequent employment of Chinese ane black boys, Judge Bevan said he knev nothing regarding the conditions unti be put in a tender. Asked if, by hi< influence, he bad got the white laboin stipulations suspended, Judge Bevan replied that lie simply made representations and the Director of Mines concurred. He carried out the stipulation as far 88 possible, but white labour was not procurable. He deniet that before taking over the lease he went to the mine to spy out the land for Dr Gilruth and himself. Further questioned nbout Dr Gilruth taking a half share in tho mine when Judge Bevan was making a dead loss, Judge Bevan said lie was going to throw it up, and probably Dr Gilruth did not want that. The mine was looking fairly promising. He considered Dr -'Mlruth’s action was that of a verv good friend. FURTHER CHARGES. (Received December 21, B.S p.m.) PORT DARWIN, December 20. Before the Commission Judge Bovan was furthor questioned at length regording the advances of Government money on minos in which he was interested. Judge Ewing pointed out that wit* ness had already udinitted that the Administrator of tho Territory made advances to himself and others- Judge Bevan denied a suggestion by Mr Barret, solicitor, that the representative of the Mines Department wa* jockeyed into relaxing the white labour regulations, and that lie would have lost his job if he had not given the ruling he did. Judge Bevan said that he knew nothing about what the Mines Department aid. Mr Barrett Interjected j “Perhaps Dr Gilruth looked after that.” Further drastio questioning related to Judge Bevan’s administration of justice as Judge. One incident referred to was the quashing of a whole jury panel for alleged irregularity. To Mr Barrett’s question, Is it not a fact that no jury will convict anyone before you, Mr Bevan repliedi “ I nave heard that stated.