Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire into Certain Transactions in Relation to Timber Rights in the Territory of Papua-New Guinea

Appointed by Letters Patent dated 11 January 1949. The sole commissioner was Justice (Sir) George Ligertwood of the Supreme Court of South Australia. He was to inquire into the transactions between Raymond Parer, Harcourt Garden, Edward Farrell and John Smith Garden and Hancock and Gore Ltd over timber rights in the territory; whether Ward was a party to them, signed or authorised any notification approving a timber licence for Parer in the Bulolo Valley, or was promised or received any benefit; and whether Ward had any financial interest in Sydney Pincombe Pty Ltd. J. W. Shand assisted the commission, E. S. Miller appeared for Ward, and Prime Minister Ben Chifley gave evidence.

1. 24 June 1949Report and findings tabled in the House of Representatives.

The report was made to the Governor-General and received by the Prime Minister on 23 June 1949; Chifley tabled it on 24 June 1949. Ligertwood found that the transaction was a fraud practised by Farrell and J. S. Garden on Hancock and Gore Ltd, which had paid £50,000 for a non-existent concession, and he exonerated Ward. J. S. Garden was later gaoled. The Parliamentary Handbook gives 24 June 1949 as the date the final report was presented.

• Timber rights transactions in the Bulolo Valley
• Allegations against the Minister for External Territories

Loading lineage…

Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.