EXPERT VIEW

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 6

EXPERT VIEW

ANTLTORPEDO DEVICE EVIDENCE IN FRAUD CASE INVENTION IMPRACTICABLE REMARKS IN HOTEL BAR (By Telegraph.—Press Association, WELLINGTON, Friday The first witness when the hearing of the conspiracy charge against Harvey Maitland Chrystall and Gordon Percy Aston was resumed in the Magistrate’s Court today was Ernest Marsden, Doctor of Science and a former Professor of Physics, secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. He said he first met Aston about September, 1929, in connection with an investigation into a claim by Aston that he was able to transmute ordinary metals into gold. Mr J. H. Luxford was on the Bench. Mr C. E. Purchase appeared for Aston and Mr W. E. Leicester and Mr R. T. Peacock for Chrystall. An objection by Mr Purchase to the above evidence was noted. Witness concluded that the claim was completely false. He had listened to the evidence in the present case. Asked by Detective - Sergeant McLennan for his opinion as an expert as to the practicability of this alleged invention, he said the weight and speed of a torpedo were such that the idea was absolutely impracticable with plates prepared and used as suggested in the evidence. It wasTtrue that infinitesimal forces might be exerted in the manner suggested, but such forces would not in practice deflect the course of a torpedo by as much as an inch. Demonstration At Exhibition Detective - Sergeant McLennan asked witness his opinion of the demonstrations carried out on a small scale at the Centennial Exhibition. “As I have stated,” said witness, “demonstrations could be made by forces between small objects electrically connected, but in practice that does not affect the opinion I have just expressed.” Detective-Sergeant McLennan: In any practical experiments concernan anti-torpedo device of the nature, suggested, you would expect a laboratory and very extensive gear and apparatus? Witness: Yes, decidedly. Witness continued that he considered Chrystall’s and Aston’s claim that they were in direct touch with the Admiralty through the earth by telephone impracticable. Mr Leicester: Do I understand you to say as a scientist that there neither is nor can be any process or invention for deflecting torpedoes? Do .you go as far as that? Witness: No. Dr Marsden continued that owing to his connection with the Admiralty and naval activities he could not divulge any further information on the matter. Mr Leicester: Would you agree with the statement that before passing final judgment on the practicability of the alleged torpedo process it would be desirable to hear the evidence of the inventor? Witness: I think the answer is yes; but if the case were put to me outside the court as to whether I would have any more time to waste on it. I would say no. Happenings In Hotel Bar

Samuel Dunn, licensee of the Carlton Hotel, Wellington, said Aston booked in on July 2, 1939, and left the following day. Sellers came to see Aston that day, remaining all morning and afternoon with him. He saw Aston again the following morning. Sellers gave witness the impression he was drinking heavily, while Aston seemed to stand up 'to it all right. Witness last saw him at 10.30 a.m., when he left the hotel. Thomas Sutherland Cornwall, formerly employed as a barman in the Carlton Hotel, said he saw the two accused in Sellers’ company before Sellers’ disappearance. The three were drinking in his bar. Sellers on one occasion seemed terribly perturbed over something. He did not seem to know what to drink, and witness asked him to make up his mind. Witness saw him sign a cheque or a similar document. Ho went out with Chrystall, Aston leaving alone and saying he was “going to cash it.” Aston returned to the bar alone. Later in the afternoon he threw two £SO notes on the bar counter and asked for a “pony shandy.” He had a big roll of notes, mostly £5 notes, and said he was not “broke” but had plenty of money. He said he was sending a car over to Australia by the Awatea and was going to leave the “other two mugs” to do it for him. Witness took Aston to mean Sellers and Chrystall. (Proceeding) A report of evidence given yesterday appears on Page 2.