FRAUD ALLEGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 259, 1 November 1928, Page 8

FRAUD ALLEGED.

ADVERTISER CHARGED. RETURNED PROM SUVA. SUPREME COURT TRIAL.

Having been brought back from Suva on an extradition order, issued when he was on his way to the United States, Edward Savilc Lyall Esdaile, aged 28, appeared in the Supreme Court this afternoon, before Mr. Justice Blair, on B charge of obtaining £250 from Dr. H. A. Cooper by false pretences. Accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was represented by Mr. G. P. Finlay.

Fur the prosecution, Mr. V. N. Hubble said the related to incidents that occurred between Sapteml)cr 1H and 20 last. Jt was agreed by Dr. Cooper, an engineer named Chivers, and accused, who was known to the former as manager of the Art Publicity Company, to develop an agency for a marine engine. For this purpose it became necessary that one of the three men should go to America, and Esdailo was ultimately selected to make the trip. Esdaile then said he would attempt to get permission to do so from his co-directors in the Art Publicity Company. At a later interview he said he had had a "row" with his director* over the time he was putting into the marine motor agency, so he had arranged to buy out their interests for £250. This amount was advanced to accused by Dr. Cooper in two instalmetns, and it was agreed that the assets of the Art Publicity Company should be transferred to the marine motor partnership. Accused left for the United States by the Aorangi on September 25, but on September 27 Dr. Cooper obtained a warrant for his arrest, owing to it having come to his knowledge that there was only one other director in the Art Publicity Company, and he owned onlv five shares.

Evidence to this effect was given by Dr. Harold Alexander Cooper. He said that accused said nis income from the Art Publicity Company was £750, out of a total income- of £1000 a year. The director in the company with five shares had not received any of the £250 advanced to accused.

(Proceeding.)