AGY-4943 | Royal Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption in connection with proposed State monopoly of petrol industry

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The Honorable Robert Darlow Pring, Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of New South Wales was appointed the sole Commissioner on 29 March 1916 (1) to make a diligent and full inquiry into the following matters:-
1. The negotiations, arrangements, or proposals made, instituted, or proposed, on behalf of the Government of New South Wales, for the acquisition of the works, plant, and business of the British Imperial Oil Company, Limited, and more particularly the proposals made by one, Henry Alfred Morgan, as to the amount, or price, or consideration to be fixed for the purchase of such business, and as to the amount, or price, or consideration to be paid for future supplies of oil, spirit, petrol, and the like.
2. In connection with the aforesaid matter, whether the demands, or requests, of the said Henry Alfred Morgan were prompted, or instigated, authorised, or endorsed by any Minister of the Crown, or other person.
3. And in so far as it was deemed essential, to inquire generally into the said matters, having regard to any public interest involved; and the conduct of any official, or person, connected therewith. (2) Due to judicial duties the inquiry did not begin until 5 April 1916 (3). The Commissioner found that:
1. There was no evidence that Mr Griffith was guilty of corruption or of any intention to share in any moneys illicitly paid
2. That Mr Morgan on three separate occasions made improper and corrupt proposals that certain sums of money should be provided for a Minister or Ministers
3. That Mr Reed, on the 28th February, was fully cognisant of these proposals, and did not report them to his superiors (4) The Final Report was submitted 16 May 1916 (5). ENDNOTES:
(1) Report of Royal Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption in connection with proposed State monopoly of petrol industry, New South Wales Parliamentary Papers, 1916, vol.6 p.767
(2) Ibid
(3) Ibid, p.769
(4) Ibid, p.802
(5) Ibid