HIGH FINANCE IN LONDON.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 22 November 1924, Page 9

HIGH FINANCE IN LONDON.

Big Claim Before King’s

Bench.

MYSTERIOUS MR “ A.” By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, Nov. 20. An interesting case is being heard before the King’s Bench. Charles Ernest Robinson is claiming £125,000, balance of the sum of £150,000, from the Midland Bank as money alleged to have been received by the defendants for his use, or alternatively as damages for alleged negligence. The defendants deny negligence or receiving the money for the plaintiff’s use. It is also alleged that the plaintiff was concerned with others in a conspiracy to obtain the money by blackmail, and was not entitled to recover. The plaintiff's counsel, Lord Halsbury, stated that plaintiff was an Australian bookmaker. . He came to England in 189 S and started as a bookmaker under the name of Bloomfield. He lost money, and was made bankrupt in 1909. In 1919 he met a man named Montague Noel Newton, to whom Robinson introduced his wife from whom he had been living apart. Subsequently Newton made certain allegations against Mrs Robinson, and this resulted in Robinson instructing Newton’s solicitors to take divorce proceedings. His wife asked him not to proceed, but he refused to listen to her. Eventually an interview was arranged between Mr Hobbs (connected with the firm of solicitors concerned), and the Robinsons, at which Mr Hobbs handed Robinson £25,000 in bank notes, which Robinson handed to his wife. Robinson also signed a document to be given to the solicitors for the proposed co-respondent, who was an eastern potentate visiting Europe, accompanied by an English gentleman, and liis native secretary. ' Counsel said it was not proposed to mention the potentate’s name. He would bo referred to as “Mr A.” The friendship between Mrs Robinson and “Mr A” developed into a great affection on her part, and she arranged to accompany him to his own country. They went to Paris. A knock was heard at the door of their room in the hotel; Mrs Robinson opened it, and Newton rushed in, and said: “Now I have got you, and the evidence I want.” Mrs Robinson returned to London. Newton called, and forcibly took from her £IO,OOO out of the £25,000 she had left after paying Hobbs £4OOO costs. Subsequently Robinson learned that instead of the matter being settled for £25,000, it had been settled for a cheque of £150,000 given by “Mr A,” the process whereof were divided between Hobbs, and Newton and “Mr A’s” aide-de-camp. Counsel further stated that Messrs Appleton, in January, 1920, sent a letter to the Midland Band asking them to open an account for Robinson, and enclosing a specimen of his signature. A cheque was given the bank, which was collected next day. Hobbs cashed the cheque for £130,000, signed “C. Robinson.” Hobbs paid in £120,00 0 to a Paris Bank where “Mr A’s” aide-de-camp and Newton also opened accounts. Hobbs transferred 90,000 francs from liis own account to the aide-de-camp’s. They were unable to trace anything from Hobbs’s to Newton’s account, but Hobbs bought 3,000,000 French bonds and got rid of half of them, and approximately |hat amount, namely £40,000, was “ mysteriously paid into Newton’s account.