“THAT IS MY PIGEON.”

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18026, 22 May 1930, Page 6

“THAT IS MY PIGEON.”

MUNGANA MINING LEASES. EX-PREMIER’S INTERESTS. EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMISSIONUnited Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received May 22, 12.5 p.m.) BRISBANE, May 22. Ex-Premier Hon. N- McCormack s interest in the Mungana mining leases and his Government’s assistance to Chillagoe smelters some years back was the subject of further evidence before the Royal Commission. Peter McCaffrey, senior inspector, of the audit department, related that while McCormack was Premier in 1926 he told McCormack that the Chillagoe smelters were an absolute “ white elephant,” the losses on which were £IOO,OOO a year. McCormack asked him to make a thorough investigation, and furnish a report to him and not to the auditor-general. Witness als,o told him that Goddard, who w’as closely identified with the Mungana leases, was greatly, worried about Mungana, the cost of which had risen £200,000. McCormack replied: “What has he to worry about over Mungana ? That is my pigeon and Theodores, not-his.” McCaffrey expressed the opinion that AuditorGeneral’s report for 1923-24 concerning the Chillagoe ■ smelters .was falsified, . V.