ACCUSED GIVE EVIDENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23268, 1 August 1945, Page 4

ACCUSED GIVE EVIDENCE

Bribery Charges Following An Agreed Policy I (N.Z.P.A.) AUCKLAND. July 31. The trial of two inspectors employed by the Rationing Controller, Joseph I Walshaw Harvey, aged 58 and Anthony I Lockery, aged 30, on charges of accept- | ing a bribe to interfere with the due | administration of justice were continued to-day. There were three counts in the indictment, which re- | ferred to events that were alleged to | have taken place at Herekino, North Auckland, on June 29 and 30. Harvey, in evidence said that at a conference of inspectors the executive officer advised that if a bribe were offered it should be accepted and paid into the Public Account. Five Auckland inspectors subsequently agreed to follow this policy. Harvey described the inspection of Lunjevich's store and said that Lunjevich offered them £5O to keep quiet. Later Lunjevich produced coupons lor another 4001 b of sugar, saying he had found them. When Lunjevich asked “can you guarantee there will be no prosecution?" accused said he replied “we can guarantee nothing.” As soon as the police appeared Sergeant Harrington said "no conversation." Lockery said “tins man is trying to bribe us. and we are going to pay this into the Public Account." to which the sergeant replied "I know all about that ” The sergeant was hostile and aggressive. Constable Molloy told Harvey he was being arrested for blackmail. Accused said he did not realise at first what the police meant. When he saw what their attitude was he did not attempt to make any explanation, because he saw it was useless. He denied that he had said to Constable Molloy or Sergeant Harrington that he had been a weak fool. To Mr Trimmer, counsel for Harvey, accused said that on the Saturday morning before they visited Lunjevich he and Lockery saw Mr Wilcox, postmaster and rationing officer. They' discussed rationin'.: matters. Lockery said to Mr Wilcox “it may be necessary to make an unusual payment into the Public Account. What time does the bank close?" Mr Wilcox replied “12 o’clock.” Lockery then asked “can I get into touch with you later in the day?” The postmaster said “yes. I’ll be at home all the afternoon.”" To Mr Meredith (for the Crown) Harvey said he was not aware that payments into the Public Account were macle through the Bank of New Zealand and not the Post Office. Giving evidence the other accused. Lockery, corroborated Harvey's evidence as to the view expressed at the conference of inspectors on the acceptance of bribes. He said that after the conversation with Mr Wilcox in which he (Lockery) had said he might want to make a deposit in the Public Account, he made further inquiries as to the deliveries of sugar to Lunjevich. He then asked the postmaster at Awanui to ring the Kaitaia rationing clerk and obtain a note of the last two permits issued to Lunjevich. When he and Harvey arrived at Lunjevich's store Lockery continued, he asked Steve Lunjevich why his father. Dan Lunjevich. was not present. Steve Lunjevich replied that his father wanted him to settle the matter. Lunjevich then handed £5O to him. Lunjevich then asked if accused could guarantee that he would not be prosecuted, and accused replied that he could guarantee nothing. A report would be made to the Food Controller. When the police appeared the money was in accused's hand. At the police station later the sergeant refused to allow him to ring up the Food Controller to explain the position. The case was adjourned until tomorrow.