IRISH SWEEPSTAKE

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20413, 7 December 1931, Page 13

IRISH SWEEPSTAKE

ITALIAN'S CLAIM SETTLED. PROTRACTED LITIG ATION. (rKITEI) rKESS ASSOCIATION-- PV ELECTiUU TELEGRAPH—COrVBIGHT.) y LONDON, December 4. Air Justice Meredith, at "Dublin, gavq judgment for Emilo Scala, who "won tlie first prize of about a, third of a. million sterling in tho Irish Free State sweepstake last March, in tho case in which "Alatteo Constantino and Antonio Apicclla, claimed a share of the prize. .1 ho action commenced last April. Scala's compatriots claimed ownership of a share of the winning ticket. Two hairdressers, Antonio Apicclla, Of Soho, and Alatteo Constantino, of Walthamstow, claimed that they were entitled to share equally with Emilio Scala, cafe proprietor of Battcrsca, in tho sum of £BB,ooo—the remainiug quarter of ,the first prize (£354,724) in the Irish Hospitals Sweepstake, on the Grand National. Before the race was run Scala sold three-quarters of his share of the ticket an Graklo, the winning horse, to Arthur Bondir, a commission agent, who subsequently obtained authority from tho Court for tho payment of his proportion of the prizo money. Mr Fitzgerald, counsel for Scala, addressing the Court, said ho did not think a judge ever had more serious issues to consider. The claim against his client, he said, was a deliberate attempt to rob him of about £BO,OOO. Mr Justice Meredith: This case would not have lasted so long if it had been an Irish case with Irish witnesses, with whom I was familiar. I bavo had to size up a number of witnesses of a type quite unfamiliar to me, and thero is no escape from the fact that on ono side or the other there must be au amazing tissue of lies, such as I havo had no exeperienco of in this Court. In the eourso of ovideneo during the protracted *case it was mentioned that Scala and his compatriots had attended a seance in London at which "the spirit of a departed Italian tapped on a table assuring them that they would win first prize." Counsel (to Scala): Where did you learn anything about spiritualism? —l didn't. 1 wish I had, for I would not havo sold three-quarters of the ticket if tho spirits had told me. Speaking of his experiences on the Saturday night aftor tho race, Mr Scala said: "L would not like to go through it again for half a million. "I would go through it for half that," observed Mr Justice Meredith. The first intimation he had that Air Apicella and Mr Constantino were claiming a share of tho prize, Mr Scala proceeded, was by telephono on the Saturday night. He went to an interview with them at their solicitors on the Monday and an agroemcnt drawn up on February sth was produced. "I was stunned," said Mr Scala, "when I noticed it was dated the loth." Air Gavan Duffy, K.C. (for Air Apicella and Mr Constantino): You are a man of high principles?—l am just an ordinary man. You are concerned to prove that this winning ticket was yours alone? —The proofs are there. Are you a democrat!—l am a human being. Do you not remember conversations ■with Apicella in which you denounced capitalism and said that all men wero equal and should have the same amount of money?— No. I suggest your occupation is dolcc far niente?—Oh, is it! I suggest you yourself did very little in the way of work?—l did my share. In further cross-examination Mr Scala said thero were people behind Mr Apicella and Mr Constantino who did not work, but were conspiring and living on others. Mr Duffy: I understand that Afr Bendir paid you £2500 before you would consent to his getting his money from >the Irish Hospitals Trust?—l think he offered the money. Apicclla and Constantino got £IOOO from him bofora that. Air Justice Meredith: Why did you extort moro money from him? —I did not extort it. He offered it. I did not get the money. The lawyers got it. I believe it is gone now. Mr Duffy: What became of the £10,500? —I have sent some to my parents, I havo about £6OOO or £7OOO loft.