AN ALLEGED BRIBE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19031, 30 May 1925, Page 14

AN ALLEGED BRIBE.

MONEY OFFERED TO MAYOR. ACQUITTAL BY A JURY. The story of an alleged bribe, which, it was asserted, was offered to Mr. T. V. J. Harrington, Mayor of Balmain, was told at the Darlinghnrst Sessions, Sydney, recently, when Denis Breen, a collector, pleaded not guilty to a charge of corruption. The Crown case was that, on March 27, accused met Mr. Harrington in the street and asked him to give accused's son, whj was a plumber, a permanent position with tho council. The Mayor replied that there were no vacancies. Breen, it was alleged, said that if the Mayor would stretch a point ho would give him .£5 and put a moior-car at his disposal freo of charge at tho next elections. Tho Mayor rnado an appointment with Breen at the Council Chambers for March 30. When Breen was shown into the Mayor's room two polico officers were concealed in an adjoining room, so that they could overhear tho conversation. Breen, it was alleged, repeated his request, arid handel Mr. Harrington £5 in notes, When Mr, Harrington pointed out that it was a serious matter to attempt to bribo a member of the council, Breen was alleged to have said: "It is not bribery. It is only a matter of business and is done everywhere." When the police officers appeared, Breen persisted in his statement that it was not bribery. Ho said lie had done it simply to get a job for his son. Breen, who went into tho witness-box, admitted having offered Mr. Harrington £5. When ho offered the money, he said, ho had no intention of bribing the Mayor. He only wanted to recoup him for any loss ho sustained. Ho had no idea that ho was doing anything wrong. Tho jury returned a verdict of not guilty and Breen was discharged.