§ MR. MARKHAMI beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General will he say why he decided not to commence criminal proceedings against Mr. Hooley, arising out of the case of "Bradshaw versus Kelly," seeing that Mr. Justice Darling, who tried this case, stated Mr. Hooley had committed fraud; will he say the costs the Treasury has incurred in the recent criminal proceedings against Mr. Hooley, 720 and who was responsible for instituting this particular prosecution.
§ SIR ROBERT FINLAYThe case of "Bradshaw versus Kelly" led to inquiries being made by the Director of Public Prosecutions as to that case, and inquiry was also made as to other transactions which came to his knowledge. It was found after full inquiry and careful consideration that the facts and evidence available did not justify the institution by him of any criminal proceedings in respect of those transactions. The recent prosecution of Mr. Hooley and Mr. Lawson was instituted by my directions. The costs of that prosecution, in which Mr. Hooley was acquitted and H. J. Lawson convicted, were £3,529 13s. 4d.