“MISTER A”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 November 1924, Page 7

“MISTER A”

CONSPIRATOR’S EVIDENCE. SENSATIONAL DETAILS. iJY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT, Received Nov. 27, 1.50 p.m.' LONDON, Nov. 26. In the bank case Sir John Simon denied a newspaper report that the bank had offered £3OOO for Newton’s evidence. Mr. Justice Darling explained that .he. payment was not for Newton’s o/idence, but' for his risk of being arrested on returning to England for his part in the alleged conspiracy. Newton, continuing his evidence, said the parties in the, alleged conspiracy frequently held consultations. It was the aide-de-camp who suggested that the matter should happen in Paris. Everybody concerned was consulted about nearly everything that was done. The Robinsons, Bevan, and Hobbs all knew. He added that the aide-de-camp took him to an hotel in Paris, where he saw Mrs. Robinson and Bevan. Mrs. Robinson pointed out her bedroom to him. Newton said it was arranged between the aide-de-camp, Bevan, Mrs. Robinson, and himself that he would come to the hotel early in the morning Mrs. Robinson told him no obstacles would be put in the way. He described that as he entered the bedroom all lights went on. When he entered, “Mister., A” and Mrs. Robinson were’ in bed. The latter jumped out and attacked him, saying, “My brute of a husband.” '“Mister A” tried to calm her and said: ‘‘Maude, after all it’s your husband.” Newton addressed “Mister A,” saying: “Now I have the evidence I want.” Newton told the aide-de-camp what had occurred, and the aide-de-camp told him he had seen “Mister A,” who left it entirely to the aide-de-camp to settle the matter. Subsequently he saw Hobbs and Robinson at Hobbs’ office and reported everything that had occurred. Hobbs and the aide-de-camp later visited him and produced two cheques for £150,000 each. One was dated and the other undated. The aide-de-camp explained that the dated one would be met immediately, but funds must be cabled for to meet the undated. Hobbs said that Scotland Yard had been told of the matter, and there seemed to be a lot of unpleasantness, if not danger, about. Hobbs said he told Robinson, who said. that if so he wanted to have nothing to do with it, and declared himself out of it. He gave Hobbs power of attorney. It was arranged that Robinson should be offered £20,000 fov himself and two ladies, v rest of the £150,000 should be divided between Hobbs the aide-de-camp, and Newton. [Previous evidence will lie found on page 5.]