A RAJAH'S MONEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 53, 4 March 1925, Page 5

A RAJAH'S MONEY.

THE "MR. A" CASE. TRIAL OP WILLIAM HOBBS.

JUDGE'S SIGNIFICANT COMMENT.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

(Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. The resumption of the trial of William Cooper Hobbs, the solicitor's accountant, who is charged with having received a cheque for £150,000 stolen from Sir Hari Singh, was interrupted for a brief period owing to Hobbs having to leave the dock as a result of a fit of coughing for medial attention.

During the course of argument with Sir Curtis Bennett, K.C., for the defence, the judge said that co far he had heard nothing showing there was any stealing of cheques or justifying a conviction for conspiracy to steal.

Chief interest in the trial centred in the evidence of Newton, to the effect that the idea was that Sir Hari would pay something in order to avoid divorce proceedings. Arthur told witness that Sir Hari had £160,000 lying idle in India. The question as to how much the potentate should pay was left in Arthur's hands.

Witness said that Arthur explained that Sir Hari's succession to the throne of Kashmir would be jeopardised if there was a scandal.

Sir H. 11. Curtis-Bennett, K.C., counsel for tne defence, subjected Newton to I the most searching cross-examination. He asked witness if a certain new document 'bore his signature.

Newton examined the document at leneth, and counsel for the prosecution interposed: "This signature will become important. T follow the line of arguI ment. I poe exactly what is coming. It is a diabolical defence."

Newton admitted he was arrested In America in 1912, but snid he was immediately liberated. Asked whether the charrre was laid by' a woman. witness declined to reply as the question had no hearinsr on the case. He suprs'eated that his character had already been sufficiently besmirched.

Mr. Justice Avorv intimated that he would consider whetlier the evidence was admissible or not.

Thn hearing was then adjourned.— (Reuter.)