THE GODDARD CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1929, Page 5

THE GODDARD CASE

[United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Received this day at 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 12. Giving his verdict in the case, Crown versus Goddard, heard in the middle of July, Mr Justice Rowlett awarded the Crown £3,5(10 with costs and found for Goddard with costs in respect of the balance. The Judge commented on the spectacle of the police officers employing the method of espionage and disbursing for this purpose large sums of iuonev. It showed a corrupt action which was more scandalous and menacing than the disorders they were employed to frheck. It had been prove*! to his satisfaction £3,500 Was traced to Goddard. The Crown had contended it could bo assumed Goddard had corruptly received the whole sum as it could not have been derived from salary and, was not accounted for thus, hut 'it was only shrewd guessing that as he was a knave who had not accounted for money, it was the proceeds of other knavery. Replying to the Crown’s desire that Goddard’s claim against Lord Byng be stayed till the present judgment was satisfied R.owlett said there must not be delay. T nrd Byng had taken a groat risk. It was a pretty serious matter when the Crown took and retained money, concerning which no conviction had occurred. The Crown was entitled to general costs of the information and in the lather action substance or lorder would be that Goddard was entitled to recover from Lord Byng £12,500 with costs and there would be an adjustment between the two actions.