COMMONWEALTH

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144713, 23 June 1915, Page 3

COMMONWEALTH

ME. KIDMAN'S TENDEES. EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COURT. SYDNEY, June 22. The High Court trial of Arthur Kidman, charged with forging a- tender, has commenced. 1 Tenders were .called for supplies of meat and groceries to the German concentration camp. Tile Crown case was that Kidman submitted several tenders allegedly in the sdme handwriting, including that signed by Brown, thongh Brown’s prices for meat were lower than those of Kidman’s firm, which were accepted. After the Tender Board made inquiries the Crown claimed that some of the firms tendering were non-existent. The Chief Justice asked how the Commonwealth was likely to bo prejudiced by Kidman’s action. The Crown counsel said the Crown, in considering tenders, was entitled to have genuine tenders from genuine people before it. If not, it was Eke false bids at an auction, and would, deceive somebody ultimately purchasing. Kidman’s counsel stated Kidman admitted ho put in tenders, but ho thought he had a right to do so. Paymaster Dewitt, a member of the Tender Board, gave evidence that the board had examined Kidman-in regard to the tenders, and had accepted the meat tender. After this examination Kidman was in the habit of contracting for military supplies, and his work was always satisfactory. Major Pago, senior member of the Tender Board,, deposed that Kidman admitted to him that he had sent tenders in the same handwriting, and added that ho had done so foolishly, and was sorry. E. F. Tait, a member of the Eight Horso, and formerly employed in looking after Kidman’s interests at vano'ns camps, gave evidence that Kidman said ho would like to use his name in connection with some tenders. He agreed, and signed certain papers, but did not know tho tender produced had been submitted in his name. He had no interest in the tenders in his own name or otherwise, and expected Kidman to carry out the contracts of tenders accented. Ho never expected to carry them out himself. Kidman told him to toll tho court everything ho knew. . . . Charles Brown, a carcaso butcher, said he just knew Kidman by passing the time of day with; him. He never submitted a tender or gave anybody authority to do so.