CONTRACTS FOR THE ARMY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15950, 22 June 1915, Page 8

CONTRACTS FOR THE ARMY

AUSTRALIAN PROSECUTIONS

MILITARY OFFICERS CHARGED

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.

ADJOURNMENT OF TRIAL. (Received Juno 21, 8.45 p.m.) Sydney, June 21. Before the High Court, Arthur Kidman, contractor, Major F. W. Page, quartermaster-general of the military forces of New South Wales, Major A. G- O'Donnell, assistant director of supply and transport, and Sergeant E. Leslie, principal clerk acting under O'Donnell, were charged with conspiring between themselves and others, between October 29 and May 8 last, to defraud the Commonwealth of large sums of money by charging excessively for goods for the use of the armed forces of Australia. The point was raised that the Act under which the charges are laid only came into operation on May 7, and the prosecution is depending on the retrospective powers of the Act. Major F. W. Page pleaded not guilty. Counsel, on the other charges, asked that the indictments be quashed. The Chief Justice stated that a full Bench of the High Court had been summoned -for August 2 to deal with the question of the retrospective powers of the Act, and all the points raised by counsel would be reserved until after that sitting. The trial was adjourned until August 9. Arthur Kidman was also charged with the alleged forging of a tender in the name of C. Brown for the supply of goods to the military authorities with the intention of having the document accepted as genuine. An application for the indictment to be quashed on the ground that the Commonwealth had no power to deal with retrospective cases was refused in this case. The hearing was fixed for to-morrow.

ADULTERATED COFFEE.

MERCHANT FINED. (B«oeived. June 21.'8.45 p.m.) ' ; v ■■ Sydney, June 21. : Under the Pure Foods Act, Francis -Boylsoh was fined £10 for supplying adulterated coffee, alleged to ■ contain 64 per cent, of chicory, for T the use of troops, and £2 forgiving I'a false certificate with it.•■.-" ' Boylson, who pleaded guilty, said H that he simply gave the order to another firm. v . The coffee was packed in bond t under \ Government supervision. 1 -.\ ■■>' > ';' • , .