BRIBERY CHARGE HEARING BEGUN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 21 December 1928, Page 10

BRIBERY CHARGE HEARING BEGUN.

BUS OWNER OFFERED £2OO TO MINISTER IS ALLEGATION MADE. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received December 21. 12.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 21. The hearing has begun of a charge of bribery against Michael Fitzgibbons, an omnibus proprietor. The Chief Secretary, Mr A. Bruntnell, related that Major Jarvie, a fellow Parliamentarian, brought him a gift of pipes, to which was attached an envelope containing two £IOO notes. Fitzgibbons was an applicant for a bus route which required Mr Bruntnell’s official sanction, for which Fitzgibbons had a rival named M’Nichol. Mr Bruntnell refused the gifts and interviewed Major Jarvie, who said that he did not know that the £2OO accompanied the pipes. Detective Morgan interviewed Major Jarvie last Saturday and said to him: “I hear there is an ugly rumour about you getting £3OO out of this transaction.” Major Jarvie replied: “It is incorrect. I am an honourable man. I know I look foolish in public eyes.” He added that he did not know that the £2OO was in the envelope with the pipes. A statement was also obtained from Fitzgibbons, who declared that the pipes were a present for Mr Bruntnell as a mark of appreciation for the time and attention he had given to the bus route application, but the £2OO was intended for the National Party’s funds. Major Milton Jarvie gave evidence that he was with Fitzgibbons when the pipes were bought. He saw nothing improper in a gift of pipes to a Minister from one of his constituents, but he had no idea that £2OO went with the pipes. The hearing was adjourned.—Australian Press Association.