NEW “INVENTION.”

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1932, Page 3

NEW “INVENTION.”

SEQUEL HEARD IN COURT. MAN CHARGED WITH FRAUD. ' (By Telegraph —Per Brest Association) , ADELAIDE, June 10. The story of a remarkable invention, which it was claimed, would hold up troops on a half-mile front without causing loss of life was related in the Adelaide Police ’ Court to-day, when Percival Henry Edward Runge, chemist of Adelaide, was charged on three counts of fraudulent conversion. Runge was charged with having obtained various sums of money by falsely pretending that he belived that a certain invention had been sold in England on behalf of the British-Austral Syndicate (No Liability), by a man, named Langsford for not less than, £1,000,000, and that having beefi entrusted with money for the purpose of paying it to the British-Austral Syndicate he had converted it to his own use and stolen .it. Mr Wj. K. Gillespie, of the Crown Law Department, who prosecuted, said that Runge was managing director and chairman of directors of British-Aus-tral Syndicate (No Liability), which was floated on December 10, 1927. The company was formed to exploit a secret invention of a man named Langsford. Tlie only evidence of the nature of the invention were statements alleged to have been made by Runge to people to whom he bad sold shares. Those people would say that Runge had said that Langsford had approached Sir Tom Bridges, then Governor of South Australia, who had advised him to see Major-General Coxen, then chief of the General Staff. Langsford had shown a machine to Major-General Coxen. who was so impressed that he, offered to send Langsford to England, under military auspices, and to pay hint £2O a week, so that he could submit the invention to the British War Office.

“According to Runge’s story,” continued Mr Gillespie, “Sjr Tom Bridges told Langsford that llie should go tc England privately to sell the invention. Langsford left for .England before share-selling began, and, so far as is known, has not returned. No shareholder lias ever seen the invention. Langsford did not even take the plans to England with him. Range Said they were lodged in the National Bank Adelaide.” The articles of association of the company constituted a remarkable document, he added. They;provided that Runge, as a shareholder, should have one or more vote's than the number of shares held by him. He thus bad absolute control of thr company.; Tlie articles also provided that Runge should not retire from; the directorship at certain intervals as was usual. -The. company had no baiffaccount but Runge had five, into all of which cheques received for shares sold had been paid. '■ The hearing was adjourned.