CLERK IN COURT

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 116, 12 November 1935, Page 16

CLERK IN COURT

BRIBES COST PENSION Due for retirement with a gratuity of £1000, and a pension of '£470 a year, a chief clerk in the London County Council contracts department, with a salary of £900 a year, has been dismissed, says the "News-Chronicle." This was revealed in a case at Westminster when Robert Thursbee, of London, managing director of the firm of S. Bowley and. Son, Ltd., oil refiners and paint manufacturers, of Battersea, was fined £ 150, with 75 guineas costs, for corruptly making gifts and considerations to John Henry Wilden, chief clerk in the London County Council contracts department, as an inducement or reward for showing favours to Messrs. Bowley in relation to the business of the council.A summons was also issued against the chairman of the directors, Archibald William Shillan, of Hoddesdon. |He pleaded not guilty, no evidence was offered against him, and he was discharged. There were six summonses in all, and two sums of £10 and a quantity of petrol—two amounts of fort.y-^ gallons and two of fifty gallons—were referred to specifically. Prosecuting for the London County Council, Mr. Walter Framptcn explained that S. Bowley and Sen had held contracts with the London County Council since 1921 for the supply, of petrol. They continued till July 1 of this year. It was the duty of Willden to prepare and send out tenders and receive offers made for the supplies. >"I want to make it quite clear," he added, "that Willden could not influence a contract, and. so far as the council is concerned, it cannot be suggested that by his conduct or by the conduct of Thursbee, that they have suffered one farthing in the matter of prices for goods supplied. "Willden was a trusted servant. He had been in the service of the council up to July last for forty-three years. He had a salary of £900 a year, and was due for retirement. He would have received a pension of £470 a year and a gratuity in the neighbourhood of £1000." ; Willden, when interviewed, denied that he had ever received any money, but admitted'he had had presents of petrol and Christmas boxes. Later, he said he might have received money on one occasion. Defending, Mr. Roland Oliver, K.C., said Thursbee made the payments very reluctantly and under pressure. Woods' Gi'eat Peppermint Cure. For Couehs and Colds, never fails.—Advi.