TIN-HARE SCANDALS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 1 July 1932, Page 3

TIN-HARE SCANDALS

GRAVE CHARGES OF BRIBERY STATEMENTS TO CROWN SHAKES OFFERED TO MINISTERS SYDNEY. 20th June. Serious allegations of corrupt ion were made to-day by Air \V. \Y. Monahan; K.C.. leading counsel retained by the Crown to assist the Royal Commissioner, Mr Justice liaise Rogers, appointed by tlie Stevens Ministry to investigate matters relating to tin hares and fruit machines. Counsel spoke only of tin hares it having been stated by Air Justice liaise Rogers that the fruit machines would be dealt- with later. Air Monahan said that the evidence he would adduce would associate many persons with bribery and corruption, and more especially with Uie administration of the Gaming and Betting Act. Before 1927 coursing was well known as a sport. Betting was restricted by law to licensed coursing dubs. Early in 1927 a Alr Swindell formed a company, which became known as the Greyhound Coursing Association, with a nominal capital of £50.000. Air Swindell received 12,000 shares for bis patent rights in a, mechanical device for tin-hare racing. Air Felix Booth became chairman. This company commenced to conduct race meetings atHarold Park. On this ground a mechanical hare was used. About- May, 1927, the bookmakers began to operate. As a result tin-hare racing became popular because of the facilities it provided for gambling. The next step was the formation : n 1927 of another company, which became known as the Australasian Coursing Company, with a capital of £IOO,OOO. Alorc than 83,000 of those shares were issued, and the company carried on business at Mascot. When a new Ministry came into power night betting was prohibited. Toward the end of 1930 there was another election, which resulted in a change of Government, and in the early part of 1931 the- two companies were eager to have legislation passed to legalise night betting. At that time they were working hand in hand to have the legislation passed. In May. 1931. Air Redmond Barry came on the scene, said Air Monahan. He had given a statement to the Crown. Ills evidence would show 7 that a campaign of political corruption was carried on with a view (o getting legislation passed <o enable betting on greyhounds racing on licensed courses. ir Barry said in-his statement that he had a- conversation with Air Jack Alunro. chairman of directors of the Australasian Coursing Club and suggested to Air Munro that he thought something could be done to influence the Government. Mr Munro told Air Barry, according to Mr Barry’s statement, that if be could get a- Bill passed legalising night- betting the two companies would remunerate him for his services. Subsequently lie received a letter to the effect that if lie used bis influence to have betting legalised on or before Bth June, the directors of the Greyhound Coursing Association and Australasian Coursing Association each would guarantee scrip in the respective companies to the value of £5.000.

ALLEGED INTERVIEW WITH AHNISTER Air Barry’s statement, said Mr ATonohan, continued: “I interviewed Jack Tullv, the Minister for Lands. I said, ‘Jack, I think I have some letters that might interest you on tin hares.’ (I have known Tully for some considerable time.) I said io him: ‘What chance is there of getting the Government to legalise tin hares betting?’ Tully replied that there was a good chance. Provided the case was put properly it- was a certainty that the Bill would go through. I then showed him my original letter, and said: ‘I am at liberty to dispose of these shares as I think fit.’ Tullv said: T will gel it through all right; but in the meantime I must have a talk with Gosling freferring io the then Chief Secretary). Come back in a couple of days.’ 1 went back to see him three days later, and saw 7 him again in the same room with the doors closed. I said to him : ‘Have you seen Gosling?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Gosling will press the matter along.’ We then discussed the number of shares that would have to be disposed of. I told him 1 would let him have 2.C00 shares in each company, and he replied ‘that will ho all right.’ I subsequently saw Tully and said: ‘How are tilings?’ He said: ‘I have explained the matter to Gosling, and he is satisfied.’ He added that if the Bill went through the shares would have to be made out in the name of Isis nominee. I replied that I would see that tl;at was done. “LABOUR DAILY” MENTIONED Mr Monahan quoted a letter which, it was stated, was addressed to Air Georges Smith, secretary of the “Labour Daily ’ newspaper, Sydney, and was signed by Alcssrs Galbraith and Munro. The letter stated that in consideration of the services rendered by the newspaper in the past to tin hare racing they wished on behalf of their respective companies, the Greyhound Coursing Association and the Australasian Coursing Club Ltd., to notify him that in the event of the Government legalising night betting with respect to tin hare racing they would sign a 12 months’ advertising contract with that newspaper for £1,500. In October, 1931, Air Hutton came on the scene. Apparently he was a veterinary surgeon who was employed in connection with the Australasian Coursing Club’s course.

Mr Hutton Mr Monahan proceeded, had Riven the Crown a statement of his connection with the matter, lie had stated that about the latter part of 1931, in response to a telephone message, he saw Mr Mnnro in Mr Munro’s office. Mr Mnnro showed him about 12 pieces of paper with printing on them, and said they were 12,000 shares in his company.

; “We are.'’ it was added, “transferring these 12.000 shares to you, hut you are | to understand that you are only to be a I dummy in the matter.” Subsequently Hutton signed the documents in Swindells office. 11 niton added that lie did not receive any ol those shares in the Australasian Coursing Chili, and never paid any money for the 12.000 shares, nor bad he received any payments for the transfer ol those shares to any person, and did not expect it. Mr Monahan said that when Mr Jack Mnnro was interviewed, he stated that Hutton had paid in full for the shares, but declined to give any details of the transaction. The position apparently was that , these shares were virtually of no value until the legislation was passed. NEW COMPANY FORMED Mr Monahan pointed out that, al. though the Australasian Coursing Club Ltd., llic shares in which were hold by a large number of small investors, possessed a well-equipped course at Mascot, it was unable to obtain a permit to bold meetings; whereas the Oroyhouiid Coursing Association and the company that was carrying on at Harold Park were successful in their applications. The application which was refused had been sent in before those that wele granted, apparently having been double-crossed. Mr Mnnro made disclosures, and was shortly bought, up—lock, stock, and barrel— bv a. syndicate, which, in the

meantime, had been floated into a company. This syndicate, the Greyhound Racing Club. Ltd., had no official capital, no equipment, and no ground belonging to it. Ail it- had was an option, for which it paid 10s. in respect- to a live years’ lease of the Kensington course. At 19th March. 1932, the syndicate had a share holding aggregating £14,050. the shareholders including Messrs Felix Don!it. Anthony Hordern, V. Saywell, and I’crcj Stevenson. The application was granted i'c.r ■' ground l-lia-t had no improvements, appliances; or convenience or safely appliances for the public. No departmental inquiry was ever held, and the company was not. even registered. ()n Llie other hand, the Australasian Coursing Club had a capital of £83,000, and equipment for the sport. Other instances of preferential treatment were referred to by Air Monahan, who said, in relation to a- Broken Hill permit, that Mr Horsington, ALL.A. lor Sturt, had advised an applicant “to go to Judge Swindell: lie has been appointed by the Government- to advise it on permits.” Swindell was alleged'to have said to an agent of the applicant: T want £2.000 for the Labour Party’s fighting fund and two parcels'each of 500 shares, and 500 shares for Horsington and 500 shares for Davidson.'” The agent subsequently wrote to Mr Lang stating that bo bad been in touch with certain gentlemen, and had had the hottest things put over him. Considerable correspondence was exchanged, but the Broken Hill application was not- granted. Air Monahan said that an importantphase of the correspondence was that it seemed that Air Lang was aware that underhand work was going on. The inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed during the week beginning lltii July.