“CRAFT” N SYDNEY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 122, 15 July 1911, Page 5

“CRAFT” N SYDNEY.

TWO. OFFICIALS REMOVED. ' 1 London, July 14. The report of the Royal Commissioner appointed to investigate the sykjfcem of contract work in connection with .public works contracts thpwi the abundant necessity that, existed for investigation. , The report discloses that practices of a suspicious ’character had been in vogue in COnhection with the handling of Government orders. Although the Commissioner found it impossible to secure: proofs of bribes being given, he found abundant evidence that certain firms had been given preference. He reported, regretfully, that the evidence justified the suspicion that. Cjobk, first-class assistant architect, and ,Raw, assistant engineer, had not conducted their work with clean hands. The evidence clearly showed tfiey favoured certain firms in giving; orders. Mr Griffiths, Minister for Public Works, said the report was of such a nature that the removal of the two officers mentioned from. the public service was necessary. He added that the commission revealed a widespread systme of secret commission in connection with public contracts, in whiph nearly all the big firms of Sydney were concerned. The extent to which it was practiced reduced it. almost to a custom, only a few of the more honourable firms declining to participate.