EVIDENCE YESTERDAY

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21039, 15 February 1940, Page 8

EVIDENCE YESTERDAY

HONOUR BY ADMIRALTY (By TelPjrraDh.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Contiuuing his evidence yesterday at the hearing of the conspiracy charge against the accused Chrystall

and Aston, Edward Augustine Batt said that in a discussion in Sellers’ office Aston said definitely that the final payment would be made on March 31, 1939. He had a large motion picture camera slung over his shoulder, and said the Admiralty had been so pleased with his work that it presented him with the camera. Honour Conferred He had been out on destroyers during his trip to Australia, and the anti-torpedo apparatus had been used on them with complete success. He also said a great honour had been conferred on him by the Admiralty in granting him the right to fly the White Ensign on his launch at Nelson. The British Government had sent him an urgent request to establish a plant in Australia because of the risk of an English plant being destroyed from the air, and also because the Admiralty wished to equip a large number of ships at Singapore. Spoke Through Earth Circuit Witness said it was clear from what accused said that all their experiments had been carried out at Blind Bay, Nelson, and also from the Hutt, which witness later found to be a tearoom and confectionery shop. Aston frequently said he had to report daily to Admiralty, and also that he moved from one place to another. He reported by means of what he described as an earth circuit, by which he spoke through the earth itself and could be connected to any telephone he desired. When Chrystall returned from Australia on August 7, 1939, he met Palliser and witness by appointment and was questioned about the money involved, said witness. Chrystall said he had come over to see if he could arrange to get the money. When asked if he still insisted that he and Aston had a contract with the British Admiralty he said: “Yes, certainly I do.” Chrystall was then asked if he would be prepared to say that on oath in the event of Court proceedings and was very hesitant in his reply. With some reluctance, said witness, he inferred that because of his being sworn to secrecy he would not make that statement in Court, but would make it privately to the Judge. He was agitated and did not stand up well to cross-examination. Witness said he eventually lost patience with Chrystall and told him it was a sheer waste of time keeping such an appointment. When asked what he had done with the cheque Sellers had issued against the Racing Conference trust money he did not answer for some time. When asked if it had been utilised to pay the mortgage on the Nelson property he said he was not prepared to say. When asked the name of the person to whom he paid the money, if he did pay it to anybody, he refused to .answer and said he was not prepared to make any statement regarding the disposal of the £750. Chrystall also said he had cashed the cheque. Price of Accommodation Cross-examined by Mr Leicester witness said the original guarantee of £3OOO in March, 1938, was to have been repaid in three months. For his accommodation of the guarantee witness was to have received £6OOO. When an extension for three months was agreed on it was stated that witness was to have received a further £IOOO as additional accommodation. Witness said he did not regard this as a gilt-edged investment and he did not nominate the sum. He agreed such return would have been unusual for a gilt-edged investment. A statement was made to him that the contract had already been made with the British Admiralty. Loans To Sellers Sellers was one of his closest friends, said Ernest Palliser, land agent, Wellington. He helped Sellers financially during the latter part of 1937 and the early part of 1938 and advanced him several sums up to £SOO. No form of security was given or asked. He had made previous advances to him and there had never j been any question about repayment. ! In March. 1938. Chrystall, in the j presence of witness and Sellers, said | that between £2OOO and £3OOO was ; required to pay up certain liabilities ; before arrangements with the British j Admiralty were completed. In March, witness said, Sellers I gave him a promissory note for j £IOOO. payable at the Commercial | Bank of Australia in London, in con- ! sideration of £SOO previously advanced by witness. Witness added ' that he did not ask for the promissory 1 note. Sellers passed the note over 1 to Chrystall, who endorsed it with- { out hesitation. The hearing, which is expected to I last three or four days, was adjourned until tomorrow*