CONSPIRACY CHARGES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 1 February 1936, Page 2

CONSPIRACY CHARGES

■FURTHER EVIDENCE AT SYDNEY (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) SYDNEY, 30th January. The hearing of charges against John Ellis Findlay, Ernest Pierce C'oombe, Richard Tanser and William Campbell was continued at thd 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 6ums of money. There are similar charges against William Campbell, aged 35, clerk.

Continuing his evidence to-day, William Campbell said he had suggested to Findlay the selling of the formula of nitrolyte allegedly possessed by the Chargol Syndicate for a lump sum. He. assured Findlay he could sell it in New Zealand if allowed to go there. Money at that time was not coming in fast enough, and the great things expected had not materialised. Findlay was making incessant demands and had a voracious appetite for money. Campbell saw Findlay the day before the former left for New Zealand, when he told Findlay that lie and Makin had booked their passages under the names of Gamble and Dakin. On that occasion he handed Findlay a “fiver.” Campbell also gave Findlay £6 aboard the ship before its departure. Campbell .was arrested in New Zealand in February, 1935. Findlay arrived a fortnight later and said he would withhold the issue of the original warrant, adding. “How is the purse?” Campbell replied, “I have nearly completed the sale of the New Zealand rights for £SOOO and the Australian rights for £20,000.” Campbell paid £95 to Findlav in New Zealand. Campbell had not concluded his evidence when the court adjourned.