THE EXHIBITION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 15 April 1907, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST AN OFFICIAL. CANCELLATION OF AWARDS. CHRISTCHURCH, Sat. Several awards at the Exhibition will be cancelled, as it is alleged they have been improperly obtained by the aid of the official who has disappeared. A lot of sensational stories were current in town today concerning D. C. I m„r„*..»_ ..,__ v._. _.. _._:_.. ."i... ._• ...v_..uj._, -.iw ._.... _uji_.iukCPPUUPL Ul iwards, and there is a growing feeling _pf astonishment that he should have been allowed to slip away so easily. Mclntyre seems to have raised considerable sums Of money on bills from financial agents, and one of them, M. D. Stranaghan, was victimised to the extent of £100 on a bill purporting to be signe<T by a third party, who has sinee -repudiated the signature. Mr Stranaghan today (Saturday )swore an informatinon against Mclntyre, and is said tohave guaranteed £50 towards the expenses of his extradition from Monte Video, at which port the Turakina is expected to touch in about two keeks' time. It is rumoured that another promissory note of a» similar character (fo^ £35) is held by a i.cond financial agent, who is also stated to have cashed cheques for £13 and £14 respectively for Mclntyre drawn by the latter after his account had been closed. It is the feeling among those who deem themselves to have been duped by Mclntyre that the Government (whose servant he was) and not they, should bear the expense of bringing the man back to explain his actions. A reporter spent an hour or two this (Saturday) afternoon conversing with a übmber of persons who should be in a position to know what are the intentions bf the Government in regard to Mclntyre. He discovered quite a remarkable reticence, and no definite statement was forthcoming. In view, however, of the reticence and to the furtmk remarkable differences in the statements made by. different parties who had previously been in communication, it seems tolerably evident that something is afloat. The acting-Premier refused the reporter audience, and said through his secretary that he had nothing to add to the official statement handed to the papers. A hig*h placed official said : "He sliould he very surprised should the Government take no steps. He should consider that very extraordinary. He thought it more than probable that Mclntyre would be brought back.' Another gentleman who lias the ear of the Government told tho reporter that he could say nothing, although he thought it highly probable that Mclntyre would get an unpleasant surprise at Monte Video. The following statement was handed to the press at 3.15 p.m. to-day by the Hon. \V. HaU Jones, acting-Premier: — "(1) Mr Munro will carry out the duties of superintendent of awards; (2) all awards will be issued strictly in accordanco w'pth decisions the judges | have already given or will give ; (5) in respect to wines. and spirits, the awards have been vitiated by gross irregular! tics on the part of Mr Mclntyre, and * will be revoked and cancelled, and each exhibitor in these clashes will be asked to submit fresh samples, which will be submitted to the jndge and awards made according to his decision." The attendance at the Exhibition yesterday was 29,810, which brings the actitreeate attendance to date ta 1,919,959.