FOOTBALL CLUB PAYS DRIVER'S WAGES

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 31, 7 February 1929, Page 5

FOOTBALL CLUB PAYS DRIVER'S WAGES

EMPLOYER PUTS NAME ...... ON SALARY LIST - PART OF MONEY KEPT FOR RENT AFFAIRS OF ARSENAL CLUB ■ 'A" < ■ : PRESIDENT BRINGS LIBEL actios. COLLAPSE AFTER CROSS-EXAM- ' :-i.- IN ATI ON. (Received 10 5 a.m.) LONDON, February 6. After a most searching crossexamination, the libel action brought iby Sir Henry Norris against the Football Association, arising from the publication of the report 1 of the Commission appointed in August, 1927, to inquire into the affairs of ‘the Arsenal Football Club, abrutly ended.

The words complained ■of related to the manner in which Norris charged against the Club the expenses of his chauffeur and also the hire of a motor car to enable him (Norris) to carry out his duties as chairman of the club.

Defendant pleaded justification, fair comment, and privilege.

’ NAME PUT ON BOOKS.

Norris, under cross-examination, admitted placing his chauffeur Ryder’s name on the club books for staff wages. He signed Ryder’s name fortyrseven times for seventy shil-

dings: > a week, but Ryder received only-/three pounds a week, Norris keeping the ten shillings to cover Rydei’’s house rent. PAY TO LADY NORMS. Questioned regarding a cheque for ,£l7O, received in 1926 for the sale of the club’s motor bus, Norris said -he endorsed it in the name °f the secretary, whose authority he had, and added: “Pay to the order of Lady Norris.” He paid it into her account.

Re-examined, Norris said the Aisenal Club owed him £BSOO on a loan account absolutely unsecured. He paid over £2OOO from his own pocket to get the players for the club.

Lord Justice Hewart ruled the. occasion was privileged, and there was no evidence of malice. He said there was no case to go to the juiy> and gave judgment for the Association with costs.