A WIFE IN PARIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 November 1924, Page 5

A WIFE IN PARIS

EASTERN POTENTATE INVOLVED

CLAIM AGAINST A BANK. A HUSBAND’S ALLEGATIONS. *?■ an Eastern potentate -and a wrathful husband were features in an action brought by the husband against a prominent British banking firm. - The cabled report gives an insight into society life in London and on the Continent.] by cable-press association-copyright . (Received Nov. 21, 9.5 aun.) LONDON, Nov. 20. An interesting case is being heard by the King’s Bench. Charles" Ernest Robinson is claiming £125,000, the balance of a sum of £150,000 from the Midland Bank as money alleged to nve been received by defendants for for ZLZ as damages flZifi SCd r n °Z h S enee - Defendants denied negligence or receiving the moner for plaintiff’s use, and also alleged that plaintiff was concerned with others in a conspiracy to obtain money by blackmail and was not entitled to recover.

, I ; hl ! U t t , i Z S , e . oUllseI > Mi' Halsbury, stated that plaintiff was an Australian bookmaker and came to England in 1898. He started as a bookmaker under the name of Bloomfield. He lost money and was made bankrupt in 1909 In 1919 he met a man named Montague Noel Newton, to whom Robinson introduced his-wife, from whom lie was living apart. Subsequently Newton made certain allegations against Mrs Robinsoii,. and this resulted in Robinson instructing Newton’s solicitors to take divorce proceedings. The wife asked lnm not to proceed, but he refused to listen to her. Eventually ah interview was arranged between Hobbs, connected with the firm of. soloeitors concerned, and the Robinsons, at which Hobbs handed Robinson £25,000 in bank notes, which Robinson handed his wife. Robinson also signed a document' to- be given to the solicitors for the proposed co-respondent, who was an Eastern potentate visiting Europe, accompanied by an English gentleman and a native secretary. Counsel • said that, it was not proposed to mention the potentate ’s name. He would be referred to as “Mr A.” The friendship between Mrs Robinson and “Mr A” developed into great affection on her part, and she arranged to accompany him to his own country. They went to Paris. A knock - was. heard at the door of their room ,in the hotel. Mrs Robinson opened it and Newton mshed in and said: “Now I'have got you and the evidence I want.” Mrs Robinson returned to London. Newton called and forcibly took from her £IO,OOO out of the £21,000 she had. left after paying Hobbs £4OOO costs. Subsequently Robinson learned- that instead of the . matter being settled for £25,000 it was settled for a cheque for-£150,000 given by “Mr A,” the proceeds of which were divided between Hobbs, Newton and “Mr A’s” aide-de-camp. Counsel further stated that .Messrs Appleton in January, 1920, sent .a letter to the Midland Bank, asking them to Open an aefeount for Robinson, ■ enclosing a specimen of’ his signature. A cheque'was given to the bank, which was collected next day. Hobbs cashed a cheque for £130,000 signed by C. Robinson. Hobbs paid in £120,000 to the Paris bank where “Mr A’s” aide-de-camp and Newton: also opened accounts. Hobbs transferred 90,000 francs from his own account to the aide-de-camp’s. They were unable to trace anything from Hobbs’ to Newton’s account,.but Hobbs' bought 3,300,000 French bonds and got rid of half of them, and approximately that amount of £40,000 was mysteriously paid into Newton’s account.—Reuter.