ANOTHER N.S.W. SCANDAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11728, 1 December 1905, Page 5

ANOTHER N.S.W. SCANDAL.

A Peculiar Coal Contract*

Press Association.— Telegraph.— Copyright.

Received November 30, 11.52 p.m.

SYDNEY, November 30.

Papers tabled in the Legislative Assembly covering correspondence with reference to the acceptance of a tender from the Lithgow Coal Association for the supply of coal to the Western railway system disclosed iikG isioh tliafc s£ra.ixi.ooL ar-elations feetween the Railway Commissioners existed. For some months the situation had become acute. According to the correspondence the_ coal contract was extended for four years on the decision of two junior Commissioners, acting against the Chief Commissioner, so that a better price could -'fis obtained by the Lithgow Association than was previously paid. The chief Commissioner alleges that his colleagues are not standing shoulder to shoulder with him in his -effort to protect the Department against the effects of a breaking down of the competition between the erstwhile suppliers. The other Commission&rs defend their action as having been in th© interests of the Department. The papers show that, instead of seeking by personal discussion an amicable settlement, the Commissioners allowed themselves to drift apart by an embittered corresj>ondence.