GAMBLING IN FRANCS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20365, 23 March 1928, Page 5

GAMBLING IN FRANCS.

BANKERS WIN A CASE. WOMAN TO PAY £39,958. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, February 8. A peculiar legal case of which more will be heard in due course has been concluded in the High Court. In this the jury decided against Mrs Aminta Marjorie Bradley Dyne, of Earls Court, iu the claim bv Messrs Ironmonger and Co., foreign bankers, for £39,938 as moneys due on deals iu foreign currencies. Mr Justice Horridge gave judgment for the linn for that amount, wuh costs, and refused to allow a stay of execution. Iu the course, of the evidence it trailspired that Mrs Dyne had been Introduced to the bankers by Mr J. 1). Gregory, Assistant Under-secretary at the Foreign Office. As a result nl this disclosure tho Prime Minister has ordered an inquiry into the matter. The question for the jury s consideration was whether there had been any seciet understanding between the bank and Mrs Dvne that stocks should never be called for or delivered, but that difference only should be paid. In his summing up Mr Justice TTorridge referred to Mrs Dyne’s association with Mr Gregory. He mentioned that Mrs Dyne had already been concerned in 1923 in' two transactions for Mr Gregory, and added, “ Von think this woman, who has been in relationship with this gentleman who has been speculating, and who has, in fact, given instructions for hint for at least tivo transactions, did know perfectly well how to sell what she had not got, and that, therefore, in January and ‘February, 1924, when she came to ask the simple question. “ How can I sell what I have not got? ’ that that must have been rather nonsense. lam not saying it is so.” Mr (Justice Horrideo explained how the name of the -Assistant Under-secre-tary for Foreign Affairs “ had to come out.” A WOMAN OF STRAW. “ When Sir Henry Maddocks,” said the Judge, “ came to that part, of his crossexamination of Mr de Wael (a partner in Messrs Ironmongers) designed to show that this woman was a woman of straw, that she had to take a position at Waring?, and had to part with her beolved 'jewellery, when Mr de Wael had to say that he was introduced to her by this man in an influential position. “ Here wa s a man in the Foreign Office introducing her with regard to transactions in foreign currencies. The subject was relevant also in tills way, that she was cross-examined’ at considerable length as to whether or not Mr Gregory had been interested, and to what extent he bad given her his advice and assistance fii the whole matter. NO COMMENT. “l am not goinj; to make any comment. Yon have heard her, you saw her, and heard her answers to questions, and it is for you to say whether, by her crossexamination and attitude in answering questions, you think she is a person whose evidence can be relied upon.” After the jury’s verdict Mr Blanco White, for Mrs Dyne, asked for a stay of execution. Mr Justice Horridge: Your client has gone into the witness box and says she has not got a halfpenny in the world. Counsel have agreed that the only question was the one I put to the jury, and 1 think I ought emphatically to refuse a stay. Of course, if you like to bring the money into court, that is a different matter. Mr Blanco White: That is, unfortunately, impossible. Gin yon bring £20,000 into court?— That is impossible. Mr Justice Horridge: Then I repeat what I said. THE INQUIRY. It appears that Mres Dyne was formerly private secretary to Mr Gregory. He was said to have advised her in the transactions, while Mr 11. F. B. Maxsc, a second secretary at the Foreign Office, was stated to have undertaken the unravelling of the accounts as between Mrs Dyne and Mr Gregory. This inquiry, which is being conducted by Sir Warren Fisher, permanent secretary to the Treasury, Sir Malcolm Ramsay, Comptroller and Auditor-general, and Mr M. L. Gwyer, Procurator-general, began a few days ago. The majority of tho witnesses will be higher officials in the civil service, but it is understood that evidence will also be given by Mr de Wael, a partner in the firm of Ironmonger and Go. The proceedings will be private, and statements will not be made on oath. It is expected that the board’s conclusions will be published. Foreign Office officials are understood to welcome the inquiry, because it affords Mr Gregory and Mr Maxse an opportunity to state their case, which was denied tliera in court. Supporters of the Government are pleased, but not at all surprised, that the Prime Minister should have taken such prompt measures to secure a full inquiry into statements made in the course of the case. The fact that the personnel of the Board of Inquiry and terms of reference were given to the newspapers within a sKlt time after the verdict of the jury, shows that Mr Baldwin had been carefully studying the position from the opening if the trial, so as to be prepared for immediate action.