Bottomley's Charges

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1922, Page 2

Bottomley's Charges

OPPONENTS ON TRIAL. i a'STKALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, Eeb. 18. At Shrewsbury assizes the trial of Bigland on a charge of inciting persons to extort money from Horatio BottonC,jj| ley has commenced. Several witnesses gave evidence that defendant endeavoured to Induce them to extort money by threatening Bottomley with exposure during the Wrekin bye-election, in which Bottomley actively assisted General Townshend’s candidature.

Counsel, in opening defendant’s ease said that Bottomly in 1918 was unable to repay Bigland the money he borrowed, and arranged that a Bigland nominee should win third place of £100f) in the war stock scheme which Bottomley was organising. It was also arranged that a Liverpool friend of IJottoinley .should win the first prize and a. soldier in the trenches the second prize. Bigland’s niece duly won the third prize. LONDON, February 18. Bigland gave astonishing evidence at Shrewsbury. Questioned, why he Returned a thousand pounds war bonds to clear his conscience, he said he was mixed in many matters with .Bottomley. This, to my shame and sorrow was on e of the things I had done, which was not straight. Bottomley persuaded me in 1918 to balance an account wherein I had lent him a thousand pounds, by becoming a party to a swindle in what he termed war stock combination. Bigland described the scheme and added - that Bottomley arranged that for the money owing and services rendered Bigland would receive a third prize, value £IOOO for services rendered. He related his introducing a. man named Gneaney to BoCtomltey. Bottomley faked a case against Greaney. The arrangement was that I should print a scurrilous pamphlet dealing with law cases, wherein Bottomley had b e en concerned and Bottomley would • sue Greaney. Bottomley did so and got five hundred before your Lordship. Bottomley gave Greaney one hundred pounds for participation in the case. The reason for framing the case was to get a verdict in order to frighten others doing such things. Justice Darling summing up said, though Bottomley was in Court he had made no attempt t*> deny Bigland’s extraordinary stories of fraud. The Jury found Bigland not guilty.