LAND OFFICE SCANDALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2691, 11 October 1905, Page 19

LAND OFFICE SCANDALS.

SYDNEY, October 5. Before the Land Commission Mr Crick, after calling a number of witnesses connected with the Lands Department in reference to his policy when dealing with, leases, entered the witness box, and stated that he did not intend to give evidence regarding the charge made against him by Peter Close, as the charge amounted to criminality, and he did not think the commission had povr.er to investigate a direct charge of criminality. The Commissioner promised to consider the point raised by Mr Crick/ and give hit decision on Monday. October 6. At the sitting of the Land Commission to-day a number of bank officials were examined regarding Mr Crick's bar* 1 ' accounts. In one case in connection the sale of a property wherein Peter _ gave evidence as to receiving £500 in com* mission, of which he handed Mr Crick half, a bank manager deposed that the ownel of this property in June, 1901, drew £500 from his account. Witness took the numbers of the notes before paying out, and the man who drew the amount informed him what he intended' doing with them. In the December following the same notes were paid by Crick's brother to Crick's banking account. Peter Close, who was further examined, detailed a conversation he had with Crick, who said : " These land agents are making a lot of money, and there is no reason .why you and I 6hould not make 6ome. You must understand distinctly, though, that if you bring anything to me that will in any way prejudice the public interest I will have nothing to do with it. It's no use bringing anything that is not proper and legal." Close added that Crick had no objection to sharing amounts with him where the transactions were square and above board and iot detrimental to the public interest. October 7. Besides the sums previously mentioned, Peter Close deposed that he halved two commissions of £780 and £750 with Mr Crick.