BROKER ACQUITTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 112, 15 May 1933, Page 9

BROKER ACQUITTED.

FALSE PRETENCES CHARGE. SWEEPSTAKE CONCESSIONS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. In the Supreme Court this afternoon, before Mr. Justice Blair, Ernest Matthieu Finlavson was charged witfi having by false pretences obtained +-£■> from John Edgar Wade, manufacturer, in business in Auckland. Tt was alleged that Finlayson made false representations in connection with the transactions of Concessions, Ltd., a Wellington company formed with- tlie object of obtaining- concessions from foreign countries for sweepstakes. _ Accused' was appointed organising sales broker for bonds, which were to: be sold under the terms of a deed of

trust. • His Honor, at the luncheon adjournment, said he was very loath to disturb the jurymen's Saturday afternoon, but he personally would like to go on with the case in the afternoon. However, he did not want to impose his wishes on them. He had to leave for the South on Monday night and the question was whether it would be a safe assumption that the case would be finished in time if the hearing was not resumed till Monday morning. The foreman said he had consulted the other jurymen and they would prefer to His Honor said he was obliged to the Having heard three Crown;witnesses the jury - asked permission to retire. The remaining two witnesses .were not important. _ The jury returned after a short retirement and reported that they considered the evidence was insufficient for a conviction.

His Honor pointed out that this was tantamount to a verdict of not guilty, which the jury then returned. The Judge "remarked that he concurred hi this verdict.