Letter Copy Error Costs £1,500

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 34, 10 February 1937, Page 3

Letter Copy Error Costs £1,500

SETTLEMENT OF SUIT AGAINST THE AGA KHAN A mistake in the copy of a letter cost the Aga Khan £1,500 in the High Court, London, and a settlement of the claim against him arising from the sale of his 1930 Derby winner Blenheim. Plaintiffs—Mr Raymond Michel! Dale and Mr William Dalziei, of Rudgwick, near Horsham, in partnership as breeders, buyers and sellers of bloodstock—had claimed £4,500 commission alleged to be due for introducing an American syndicate to whom Blenheim was sold for £45,000 after Mahmoud (son of Blenheim) had won this year's Derby. Sir Patrick Hastings, K.C. (for the Aga Khan) said the suggestion that there had been a trick was based on a misapprehension arising from a letter and was now unreservedly withdrawn. By a letter written on June 15 the Aga Khan pointed out that, in his view, the American principals had been what he called too clever. * ‘ That is a mistake. It only came to tho notice of those representing the Aga Khan during this case. ‘‘On May 4 a letter was written to Mr Dale by Miss Blain, the Aga Khan's secretary, who kept a copy of it. ‘‘Her copy did not include the reference that the offer was open until the end of the summer at all. It was, as the Aga Khan imagined, up to the beginning of the summer. “But, in the original, which I did not see until Wednesday, the words read: ‘Until the end of the summer.’ The Aga Khan was under the impression that Mr Dale had put in the extra words. “Immediately that came to our notice the Aga Khan realised there was no ground for suggesting that Mr Dale was guilty of a trick at all, and the Aga Khan wishes to make it clear that any suggestion of that kind has completely disappeared.' * The Aga Khan would pay Mr Dale £1,500 by way of remuneration, in addition to all his costs.