THE KNIGHTHOOD CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1924, Page 2

THE KNIGHTHOOD CASE

CUNTHAIT OK TAl.Vra) SOHM

IUBTHALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

LONDON. July 1

In the knighthood case. Mr Henry Wright, plaintiff’s solicitor, said that plaintiff has refused to pay £10,01!') cash. It was then agreed to give £800) cash, a picic* ot land at Birkenhead, and u lecture hall, the whole to he given in the form of donations to the College Ambulance. Mr Ernest Harrison (Secretary of the College Ambulance) showed him a- list of names, which, he declared, were being recommended for various honours. At the interview, the plaintiff was verv blunt. He in-'de it l>orfectiy plain that be was giving the donation as a navmont for a knighthood. Witness had asked for the receipts for the deposit showing that il was a payment on account of a knighthood, hut the defendant (Harrison) refused to give this, on the ground of public policy. Cross examined. Mr Wright said he did not regard the negotiations as a disgraceful bargain, because there was m. much of that sort of thing going

Oil. . , Anna Robins gave evidence that she introduced the plaintiff to the Conseivative Party oHinials at the defendant s request. She impressed upon the plaintiff the necessity, of being tacttul in his conversation with the officials, hut lie had been tactless. He bad bluntlv told tlie officials that he had come ‘for a knighthood. She denied that she asked the plaintiff for £SOO as a payment for tlie introduction; but he had promised her a gilt of that amount. She had previously experienced this sort of thing, having rendered similar assistance to three others. The plaintiff, recalled, said that his holdings in tlie Parkinson Limited were £IOO.OOO.

The Judge stated there was no ease against the defendants, as the contract (if it existed) was one of a tainted form, ami was illegal; but before giving judgment, he would hear tho plaintiff’s counsel.