Fined For "Under Table" Payment

Chronicle (Levin), 18 March 1948, Page 2

Fined For "Under Table" Payment

CHRI8TCHUKGH, March 17. On a eliarge of aeeepting 011 fciopteiiiber 2C, liHG, a secret payment of £120 from Gordon Htevenson Harris over and abovc tlie pric'e shovvn in the applieation to the Land Saies Court for its consent to the sale of two seetions at Green Lane, Riccarton, Reginald Stanley isaap Colin Rudd, a soldier,- was fined a total of £100 in the Magistrate's Court; today when Mr; 1«\ F. Reid, S,M., gav e a reaerv^d deeision.. The Magistrate reviewed tlio^ eyideucd of liarris- who said at the heao? ing that ha • bougkt . tw.o • sections; . f rogh Rudd at £1 75 , each, . tlie Landi - Saies Coiirt havjng approved their sale af | £115. Harris also said that Rudd iuti | mated that ihe iwould uot sell nntess he; j received this- " under -tli,e jtable "; pay • ment of £120. The. Magistr^te also ferred to the e.vidence of .Douglas; Wajter Le Comte who said the refused to pay 'Rudd mord thaiV £115* for/ a"sec. tion u or would he iater agree to give Rudd an extra £00. • '* . Counsel for defendant submitted that L'e Coiiite's evidence was not admis siblc, but if it was admissible Lei Comte .was an accomplice. "I ain satisfied that Le Comte 's e.vi dence is admissible as corroborative evidence," continiied the Magistrate. "It is independent testimony which affects accused by connecting him or tending to conuect him with the offence. 1 hold that the charge has lieen proved and defendant will be convieted. He is fined the sum of £40 under the prineipal Act and the sum of £120 under the amending Act of 1946." Tlie Magistrate told Mr. A. W. Brown,, counsel for the Crown, to make a fornial aj)[)Jication for a certificate protecting Harris from prosecution and it^ would be granted. ^