SALE OF HONOURS,

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18874, 18 February 1933, Page 5

SALE OF HONOURS,

ENGLISH EDITOR CHARGED. “ OPENING CLOSED DOORS.” REQUESTS FOR CASH PAYMENT. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Feb. 16. Maundy Gregory, editor of the Whitehall Gazette, was charged at Bow Street Police Court to-day with an offence against the Honours Prevention of Abuses Act. Th" Attorney-General, Sir Thomas inskip, stated that Lieutenant-Com-mander Edward Leake was approached by a stranger named Moffat, who said the highest authorities desired to honour him. He arranged a meeting with Gregory, who declared that "sinews” were necessary to open the closed doors. Sir Thomas said that accused suggested a payment of £IO,OOO or £12,000, and discussed the prices of honours ranging over a number of years. Accused produced a document detailing his credentials, including his orders and war record, also power of attorney held of certain people. Lieutenant-Commander Leake suggested discussing the matter with three prominent personages. Gregory agreed to two of these, but asked him to refrain from speaking to Hie third. The olllcer informed the authorities and subsequently told Gregory lie desired to drop the business. Gregory begged Lieutenant-Com-mander Leake to reconsider the mat-ter,-’said Sir Thomas, and asked for £•>000 or £3OOO to "keep the pot boiling." Incut.-Commander Edward Whaley Billyard Leake, is the cider son of the late Charles Billyard Leake, who was well-known during I lie war years as the organiser of the llarefleld Hospital for wounded Australians. Born in 1895, he was educated at Ihc Naval colleges at Osborne and Dartmouth, and joined the navy In 1908. Lieut.-Commander Leake served during Hie European War, and was awarded the D. 5.0., being mentioned in despatches, lie was placed on the retired list in 1929.