NO REFLECTION MADE

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1934, Page 7

NO REFLECTION MADE

MR. HAMPSON’S COMPANIES. STATEMENT BY COMMISSION. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7.35 p.m. Sydney, Oct. 5. At the Companies Commission hearing to-day reference to a lengthy cablegram he had received from a New Zealand solicitor, Mr. Hampson, of the firm of Hampson and Wiseman, was made by the Commissioner, Mr. Justice Haise Rogers. The cablegram contained an urgent request to be allowed to give evidence, specially regarding Edgecumbe Forests, Kotahari Lands and the Overana Company, in which he was vitally interested. Mr. Hampson , said he could not understand why the New South Wales Government had added these companies to the list. The cable alleged that the New Zealand Government added the Overana Company to its list without any justification or excuse, and acted on the report of the Barton Commission, which “completely misrepresented the condition of these companies.” Mr. W. W. Monahan, K.C. (for the commision) said the companies mentioned “just came on the fringe of things,” and he had no desire to cross-examine Mr. Hampson. The Commissioner eventually decided to cable Mr. Hampson informing him that Mr. Monahan had publicly stated that no reflection on Mr. Hampson was suggested in connection with the Edgecumbe, Kotahi or Overana companies. Although these companies had been added to the schedule of his commission there had been no investigation of their affairs. They had been mentioned merely in connection with dealings with certain assets of the Sterling Company. The cable added that the commission would hear Mr. Hampson about October 16 if he still desired to give evidence. ,