THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1920, Page 5

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.

DR. GILRUTH DISCUSSED. By Tslosraph.—Press Assn— Copyright. Received March 11, 11 p.m. Melbourne, March 11. At the Northern Territory inquiry, Mr. Mahon, formerly Minister for External Affairs, gave evidence that Dr. Gilruth was a strong man, but rather impetuous, and liked his own way. Dr. Gilruth was an anachronism mid an impulsive Scotsman. When Mr. Mahon entered office he was biassed against Dr. Gilruth, but under experience, he regarded him as a very good officer. Mr. Morley submitted the cause of the Administrator's unpopularity was his desire to carry out sanitary reforms which the people resisted. —Aus.N.Z, Cable Assn.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUIRY. Melbourne, March 11. Before the Northern Territory Commission, Private Rheiu'berg said he was imprisoned in Fanny Bay gaol 10 months for debt without any court proceedings, after having been arrested while on his way to enlist. He further said that when the recruiting campaign started Dr. Gilruth went to the Defence Department and had it stopped. While in gaol he once refused to enter his cell. The warder drew a revolver and ordered the gard to shoot the prisoner. Concluding, witness stated that all the other prisonera in gaol for debt were men who tried to enlist.

A former manager of the Terminus' Hotel, Darwin, gave evidence that he saw a drunken policeman- with a revolver make a number of people stand in a line against a wall. No action was taken by the authorities—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asan.