NEW SOUTH WALES LAND COMMISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2672, 31 May 1905, Page 49

NEW SOUTH WALES LAND COMMISSION.

SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS. SYDNEY, May 23. There was a sensational development at th© lands inquiry. Bath, a city land agent, gave evidence that he knew Mr Crick intimately. He frequently saw him, when Minister of Lands, in connection with land cases. With reference to the Myall Creek Estate, which was purchased from the Government, Mr Crick had told him Mr Willis was going to England and had asked him (Mr Crick) to look after tke matter. Mr Crick had said he could not himself go into the matter, as the Ministry had a very narrow majority. Witness, at his own suggestion, was appointed to represent Mr Willis while the latter was in England, and an agreement was drawn up that he was to receive about one-fourth of the commission on the sale of the estate. Mr Willis did not go to England, nevertheless witness got his share of the commission — £51500, — consisting of Mr Willis's cheque for £1322 and a bill for £150 for the balance of the money. He handed th© whole to Mr Crick, who bought Government debentures for

him. He handed the cheque to Mr Crick because there was something about it he did not wish to reveal.

Though Bath was repeatedly pressed by Mr Justice Owen, who said he would be compelled to enforce a penalty of £20 for not answering, he refused to answer who drew the bill.

At this stage iiath left the room to procure the debentures. At the afternoon sitting Mr Crick was called. He complained that he received the call by telephone without a moment's notice. He seemed to be regarded as a kind of lapdog, to be drawn upon whenever it was thought fit. Mr Justice Owen reminded him that he had been subpoenaed and would have to attend.

Mr Crick replied, " I won't have to do anything of the sort." He declined to answer questions put by counsel for the Crown, on the ground that he had been insulted. He was not going to allow any understrapper to insult him. He added

aat if there was anything in the commis &ion against him lie would resign his seat in Parliament.

Replying to Mr Justice Owen, Mr Crick declared he did not make a farthing out of the Myall Creek Estate. Asked what became of the £1500 Bath received, he declared he would not answer in public, rat had a document which he would show Mr Justice Owen, and then, if asked to do

so, answer the question. After Mr Justice Owen had seen the

document Mr Crick left the room,

Meantime Bath was called several times, but failed to appear. Mr Justice Owen, in adjourning the sitting, announced that he intended to take action against Bath for his refusal to answer a question and his non-appearance.