ALLEGED CONSPIRACY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 31 January 1936, Page 5

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY

FURTHER EVIDENCE AT SYDNEY SYDNEY, 30th January. The hearing of charges against John Ellis Findlay, Ernest Pierce Coombe, Richard Tanser and William Campbell was continued at the Central Police Court to-day. John Ellis Findlay, a former detective, aged 40, is charged with having conspired to pervert the course of justice by aiding a prisoner, William Campbell, to abscond from bail and escape to New Zealand. He was further charged, together with Ernest Pierce Coombe, aged 40, agent, and Charles Richard Tanser, aged 52, agent, with conspiring with William Campbell and William Holland Makin and others to defraud several persons of large sums of money. There are similar charges against William Campbell, aged 35, clerk.

William Campbell, one of the defendants, called by the Crown, gave evidence along the lines of his statements. He further deposed that while on bail he met Findlay almost daily and also met Tanser and Coombe. Campbell suggested to Findlay that they should exploit the nitrolyte proposition later known as the Chargol Proprietary Syndicate. Campbell assumed Findlay that there was plenty of money in it, Findlay said he could arrange remands from time to time for Campbell provided that he, Findlay, was looked after. Campbell added ’ that the Chargol Syndicate was registered in 1934. It was actually nothing. In fact, it was a dishonest venture. Campbell then proceeded to give the names of persons who were to be approached to take up shares, Coombe supplying likely names. Findlay later told him he had been appointed a member of the Duke of Gloucester’s escort. Campbell gave him £25 to buy a suitable outfit for the occasion. Campbell next gave him £2O to meet a private debt. .Campbell informed Findlay that he was going to Tamworth in connection with the sale of shares in the Chargol concern to local citizens, whereupon Findlay impressed upon him to be careful as the Royal train was going through and Detective James, who was also a member of the Duke’s escort, might get his eye on him. The case was adjourned.