USC21_0010

4.

efforts than anyone who has undertaken the work (Reverend Gribble Snr.Mr & Mrs Gribble Senior and Junior, excepted)."

In an interview with the Secretary for Lands, Kent tried to bluff
his way by stating he had been promised timber leases and should
not have to tender for them at public auction. When he saw he was
not getting what he wanted he left threatening to write to the
Courier, which he did, casting reflections on the Administration
of the Lands Department. This brought a prompt response from Brown
of Brown and Broad, timber merchants of Brisbane, stating that Kent
had approached him with an offer to sell timber concessions on
Fraser Is. which he was just about to secure from the Government.
The Lands Department had asked for the names of the principals in
Kent's company which he refused to disclose - of course there not
being any.
The Director of Forests, writing to the Under Secretary for Pub-
lic Lands, revealed what Kent has asked for, which was no less than
315 square miles which was practically all the timber on the island
and at ½ royalties being paid by Wilson Hart and Hyne and as a
private sale without competition. Some cheek!
There were more letters, then finally the C.I.B. came into it and
revealed that Herbert Kent, alias Kenneth Graeme, alias J. K. Graham,
alias Henry Grant had had four criminal convictions in the following
places, Broken Hill, Parramatta, Sydney and Brisbane for forgery
and uttering (2 charges), false pretences, stealing in a dwelling
and illegally on premises .