A MINISTER DISMISSED.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6362, 9 November 1907, Page 9

A MINISTER DISMISSED.

THE RUSSIAN GRAIN SCANDALS. By Telegraph- -Press Association—Copyright (Received November 8, 9.20 p.m.) ST. PETERSBURG, November 8. The Supreme Criminal Court convicted M. Gourko, Assistant-Minister for the Interior, on a charge of overstepping his official powers in connection with the Liberal grain contract. Ho has been dismissed from office, and forbidden to hold any public appointment for the next three years. ,'

M. Gourko, Assistant-Minister of the Intcrior, is a son of the famous Hussion general of that name, who distinguished himself during the Busso-Turkiah war of 1377-78. At the end of last year the Minister was being fiercely assailed in connection with a contract alleged to have been given’ for many millions of roubles to the proprietor of a number of gambling houses for the supply of bread for starving peasants. M. Gourko was alleged to have acted under the influence of a dressmaker when giving tho contract, which was secured by a man named Lidval, proprietor of gaming tables. . Lidval was not connected in any way with the grain business, and it was stated that ho merely pocketed a commission, and . another man named Sottkis. who was the actual purchaser had disappeared. In consequence of these allegations the Czar appointed a committee consisting of Senators and others, including the President of the Bt. Petersburg 4£f Mr - e to make an Immediate inquiry into Sf whole Star, and thia committee in January recommended the prosecution of M. Gourko.