LAND OFFICE SCANDALS

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 27

LAND OFFICE SCANDALS

SYDNEY, September 27. Peter Close having refused to answer questions before the Land Commission as to what he did •with large sums of money received in connection with certain land transactions on the ground, that he might incriminate himself, the Attorney-general has given notice of a short measure granting immunity to witnesses against prosecutions in the event of them making admissions which might incriminate themselves. The Land Commission Act Amendment Bill, passed through all its 'stages to-night. ! September 28. The immunity conferred on witnesses before the Land Commission by the passage ,of .the Amending Bil' bore fruit to-day, ,-when, Peter- Close ■ disclosed to whom he paid money in, connection with the issue ; of- improvement .leases. After taking counsel's auyiee Close decided to give the fullest, information. ~ A large number .of. cases were brought to Ms mind/ and ' in every instance he dethat_Ji3 paid half the heavy fees ho received to .Mr Crick. Asked- •tvhether there was any understanding between Mr Crick and himself, he said: " I understood him, and he understood me! I would not go to him and say, 'If you put tihat through you will get so much.' r never did that, 'i suppose he understood that if be put the thing through I would give him something. " The money was i always paid in cash. He had been concerned in land transactions since 1901. lie could not state just how the understanding with Mr Crick began, as it was so long ago. He never kept any record of his transactions when they had done a bifc of business, but a. memorandum of .it was kept on a piece of paper, "which was destroyed when the particular business was completed. ~~ He had not divided any money with Willis, and his connection with him was something in the nature of a stakeholder. He handed the- money over t o him when the transaction was completed. September 29. An analysis of the evidence of the Land Commission reveals the fact that agents had received £52,000 in fees, of. which Willis secured £39,164 and Close £9483. j Mr Crick, who is suffering from bronchitis, has applied through counsel for permission to give evidence before the Land Commission when the further examination of Peter Close is finished next week. '<