VITAL PLAN SOLD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 20 April 1939, Page 6

VITAL PLAN SOLD

ROYAL ORDNANCE DEPOT

TRACED TO GERMANY lIEICKEAYEE CHARGED DENIAL OF GFTLT (Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (Reed. April. 20, 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, April 19. A story of secret service agents tracking a British bricklayer to Germany, where he is alleged to have sold a vital plan of the Royal Ordnance factory, Lancashire, was unfolded in the Chorley Court, where .Joseph Kelly, aged 21 years, was 'Charged with the theft of two plans.

Kelly, who- was employed in the factory, communicated with the German Consul at Liverpool, who put him in touch with secret agents in Holland. The police found in Kelly's house correspondence from agents and one of the missing plans. The other would be of the greatest assistance to enemy bombers. A bomb placed accurately would cause untold havoc and loss of life.

The plan was known to be in Kelly’s possession, when he went to Germany.

Kelly pleaded not guilty and wa: committed for trial.

The ordnance factory mentioned in the case is at Euxton, Lancashire. It was recently opened at a cost ol £10,000,000, and' is believed to be the most modern and most ellicient in the world. It took two years to construct.

The plant includes underground ■bombproof chambers. There are 900 buildings, 50 miles of roads, 25 miles of railways and 20 miles of underground passages.