MECCA OILAFFAIR

NZ Truth, Issue 1286, 31 July 1930, Page 6

MECCA OILAFFAIR

Pimentel's Fear of Incrimination (From "N.Z. Truth's" Wellington Rep.) UT REFUSE to answer because it may ■* incriminate me." To practically \ every question that was asked him by Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell, counsel for his creditors, during his examination as to his debts, Norton Parker Pimentel returned this answer. Pimentel, who is awaiting trial on a charge of false pretences, unsuccessfully defended three civil claims m connection with' the operations of the Mecca Oil Company. Pimentel adopted his attitude of refusing to answer certain questions during the application made by Mr. Treadwell ori behalf of creditors who are seeking a writ of attachment. "; After n lengthy examination, Mry C. A. Li. Treadwell had elicited the following facts. Pimentel appointed Mr. Kellow, a public accountant, to open up a proper j set of books for him, but he refused I to say whether these books showed a credit balance of £1003/19/1 on June 30. On a rough estimate, Pimentel 'said that he had paid about £1000 since he commenced operations. He paid: the money to the Standard, Texaco and Atlantic Union Oil companies. He received £500 from Patterson and paid it into his bank account, where it became part of the funds. Since he received Patterson's money, he had not drawn a cheque for £ 500 or over. He refused to answer a % question concerning the handing of money to anyone m "Wellington other than business firms. Pimentel is still unable to obtain the bail fixed by the court" (£IOOO and two sureties of £500), and prior to his examination, the magistrate, after perusing a document handed up to him by Detective Inspector Ward, refused a further amplication to reduce the amount of the bail.