THE DARWIN COMMISSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1705, 20 December 1919, Page 5

THE DARWIN COMMISSION.

EVIDENCE ABOUT MINERAL LEASE.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association DARWIN, Doc. 19. At the Commission, Mr Justice Bevan gave further evidence. Ho stated that the

key of the private telegraphic code in use was a combination of Dr Gilruth’s, Mrs Gilruth’s and Mr Carey’s initials. He supposed that Dr Gilruth prepared the key for replying to questions regarding monetary and other relations between witness and the Gilruths. Ho paid that they wore interested with a man named Hope in. an Arrino (West Australian) mineral, lease. They got Hope to take it up and each of the three had an equal share in the property. Asked if Hope was the owner as fur as (ho public was concerned, • witness replied: “I think so.” Asked if there were any other.'things in which Dr Gilruth and himself were interested under someone else’s name, Judge Bo van replied in the negative, lie did not think it strange that the Administrator should advance money to himself under someone elso’f? name. He claimed that they were acting in a perfectly straightforward maimer.

CHARGES AGAINST JUDGE ’ BEVAN.

ALLEGATION OF IMPROPER CON- ' DUCT.

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association ■» DARWIN, Dec. 20.

After hearing Mr Justice Bevan’s evidence regarding the Arrino lease, Judge Ewing formulated a further charge against Dr. Gilruth and Mr Justice Bevan—that

they were the owners of two-thirds of the Arrino mine .which was taken up in the name of Hope, a man without means, and that advances were made and approved of by, the Administrator to Hope that were really for the benefit of Hope, Dr. Gilruth and Mii Justice Bevan. Another charge was also submitted against Mr Justice Bevan —that ho frequently advised the Crown in matters upon which ho, as Judge, might have to sit in judgment; that ho had not administered law and justice in the Territory; that by his general conduct he brought the judiciary into jvil repute and lowered the dignity of British justice; and that ho was not a fit person to administer the

In reply to further questions, Mr Justice Bevan denied that ho obtained special concessions for .working tho Arrino mine, but admitted that ho supplied stores to men working in t)io mine. Questioned regarding tho lease ot the Daly mine and the provision therein stipulating the employment of white labour preventing others applying for *.L an “ t * l ? subsequent employment of, Chinese and black boys, Mr Justice Bevan said that ho knew nothing regarding the conditions until they wore put in the tender. Asked if, by his influence, he got the white labour stipulations suspended, Mr Justice Bevan replied that he simply made representations and the Director oi Mines concurred. Ho* carried out tho shpulaLon as far as* nos'siblo, but white labour was unprocurable. Ho domed that before taking over the lease ho went to the mine to spy out land for Dr. Gihuth and questioned about Dr. Gilruth promising! vfo Dr.. Gijruth’s KoTwas that of a very good friend. ■