LICENSING OF TIN HARES

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1932, Page 9

LICENSING OF TIN HARES

CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

ATTEMPTS TO TRACE CHEQUES.

QUESTIONS BY COMMISSIONER.

MOVES TO SECURE LEGISLATION.

By Telegraph— Press Assn.—Copyright.

Rec. 11.45 p.m. Sydney, July 18. At the inquiry into tho issue of licenses for mechanical hares to-day further attempts were made by Mr. Justice Haise Rogers, the Royal Commissioner, to trace what became of a cheque for £5OOO which was frely mentioned in evidence last week. Henry Malmgrou, sharebroker, recalled, admitted having written a letter io F. Swindqll, who was prominently identified with tin hare racing, which told of the sale of 2500 shares in the Greyhound Coursing Club, for which ho received a cheque from Swindell for 5000, H© also admitted the contents of the letter were untrue.

The Royal Commissioner: “Then the letter can bo as a lying letter?”—“Yes.”

The Royal Commissioner: “Were you ip th© habit of writing lying letters to cover up any transaction?”—“No.” Jack Munro, chairman of the Australian Coursing Club, told a story of efforts some time ago to legalise night mechanical hare coursing and of how a man with supposed “social pull” named Barry came on the scene with the object of inducing-certain influential members of the Legislative Council to push the legislation through that Chamber. Barry wanted 5000 shares in the event of his social influence being successful. Such n. contract was eventually arranged.. Shares which were originally worthless jumped from Is 3d to 10s almost the moment the legislation was passed. Barry also proposed that £l5OO a year should bo spent in advertising in the Labour Daily, ■which was bound to boost tin 'hares.

Joseph Galbraith, a former secretary of the Greyhound Coursing Association, recalled, was examined about an honorarium of £lOOO and other sums paid to one Keighery, who knew Mr. J. T, Lang, the Premier. Swindell, he said, was present at all the meetings. 'No vouchers were kept. Witness knew nothing of tho circumstances under which the payments were made to Keigliery, and. he did not know that he did anything of consequence on behalf of the company. The inquiry was adjourned.