NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 1871, 12 February 1920, Page 11

NORTHERN TERRITORY.

DR GILRUTH'S EVIDENCE.

By Calle. — Ptess Association. — Copyright. (Roc. Fcl>. 12, 12.10) MELBOURNE, Feb. 12. His Honour Mr Justice Ewing resumed the hearing of the Darwin inquiry, when the Administrator, Dr Gilruth, was examined.

Mr Justice Ewing asked Dr Gilruth if he was aware that it had been sworn that, while he was at Darwin. he was part owner of the Arrino lease. Dr Gilruth replied, "Yes! It was a claim, not a lease."

Replying to further questions. Dr Gilruth said that a grant was made by him to Judge Bevan and a man named Hope. He told Judge Bevan that he would take a third share. He admitted that he had approved of the grant to Hope without sufficient authoritv. Mr Justice Ewing asked: "Knowing that Hope was not the real owner, you advanced money to develop the grant to help your own and Hcvan's mining ventures?'' Dr Gilruth replied: "That is what it amounted to."

Mr Justice Ewing pointed out that Judge Bevan had sworn that none of the advances to Hope were ever paid back to the Government, and that, bv merest chance, he discovered that Dr Gilruth and Judge Bevan were interested in the venture.

Dr Gilruth replied that anyone could have told that Judge Bevan was in it, but probably no one knew that he himself was in it. Dr Gilruth denied that he was Eart owner of the Daly mine, but he ad advanced some money upon it. and had later made himself responsible for half of any loss that might be incurred. He undertook this responsibility without receiving any interest in the mine. He was not aware that Bevan's and Hope's banking account was opened by money paid by himself. He admitted granting a lease of 3000 acres to a man named Palmer, but he was pot a partner of Palmer's.