CASE AGAINST BANK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1180, 1 December 1924, Page 5

CASE AGAINST BANK.

. PUZZLING VERDICT. THE ROBINSONS CLEARED. LONDON, Nov. 29. The case in which Charles Ernest Robinson, bookmaker, claimed £125,000, the balance of a sum of £150,000. from the Midland Bank, as money alleged to have been received by defendants l'or his use, or alternatively as damages for alleged negligence, has excited most intense interest. During the whole week the Court was besieged, there being a queue at the public gallery. The newspapers published whole pages of the evidence. Each day yielded new and sensational developments and Lite case read like a most exciting newspaper feuilleton (that part of a French paper devoted to light literature or criticism). The public, whoso interest in the case reached white heat yesterday were much puzzled at its conclusion. The people expected it simple understandable verdict. Instead the newspapers, which were almost snatched out of the vendors’ hands, recorded merely the jury’s answers to certain questions ana the fact that they failed to answer others. For the purpose of clarity the Daily Telegraph’s summary is given herewith : The jury found that there had been a conspiracy to obtain money' from “Mr A,” whose action in parting with it was neither free nor voluntary. They found that neither Robinson nor lus wife was a party to this conspiracy and that the bank in paying out £15(1,000. obeyed the mandate whereunder they received the amount. The remaining questions were as follow Were the words: “Pay order G. Robinson, Appleton and Company, appearing on the back of the cheque written by some person as agent for Appleton and Company?—Answer: .\ u. Had Hobbs and (or) Appleton and GVmipany any intention of transferring Lhe whole rights, if any, in the cheque to Robinson ?- —Answer: No. Did Hobbs in drawing out the money purport to act under the same authority tinder which-it was paid in? —Answer: Yes. The question whereon the jury were unable to agree was: Were the rights of Hobbs and (or) Appleton, whatever they were, in the cheque ever transferred by either or both to Robinson ? 'The foreman announced that tin; jury were unable to agree on the outstanding questions. Judge Darling said lie did not think it material enough to send the jury back. They were, therefore, discharged and the Judge left the Bench. The Daily Express says that the tension of the packed Court broke into a surprised gasp when Judge Darling read the jury’s answers. Women leaned over and tapped Lhe barristers’ shoulders, asking: “Wlmt does it mean? Who has won?” One fact only stood out clear. That was that the jury removed the names of the Robinsons out of the mire of intrigue. .Mrs Robinson sat gazing at Judge Darling with a faint smile of satisfaction. She loosed the folds of her sable wrap, leaned over and whispered to her husband.

VERY HEAVY COSTS. It is understood the costs uro likely to amount to £35.00 1.

Mrs Robinson, after the jury’s decision said- ‘‘Mv honour and character burr- been cleared and my husband and myself vindicated. • 1 do not care about the money. Nobody knows the worry and agony I have suffered during the past five years with this stigma over me. I have been insulted light and left. Now I am satisfied that I. am clear.” THE ARREST OF HOBBS.

Hobbs, who lips been repeatedly mentioned in connection with a firm of solicitors, was formally -arrested with a companion and detained at Gravesend. The police believe he intended to endnirk for Rotterdam. The dramatic detention of Hobbs was not an unexpected sequel to the case. Police action ill other quarters is considered not improbable. Hobbs was charged at Row Street Court under the Larceny Act with receiving on 27th December, 1919, hankers’ cheques .for the payment of £5150.000, which cheques were stolen from abroad. He was remanded till December Gtli ill custody.

The Scotland Yard Inspector described the arrest of Hobbs at Gravesend as lie was on the point of cm harking for Rotterdam. 'When the warrant was read Hobbs described it as quite absurd. SCOTLAND YARD’S INQUIRIES. The Daily Chronicle says that Scotland Yard has been engaged in inquiries in the case for many months.' Detectives were in the Law Courts throughout the trial. Many officers yesterday were both inside and outside the Court. The Sunday Express states that a warrant has been issued for the arrest of the aide-de-camp concerned in the case. He is believed to be abroad, but was in London recently. It is understood the others have given undertakings to hold themselves available to the authorities. A Scotland Yard official has gone to the East to make inquiries.—A. and N.Z. cable.