DUKE SUED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 292, 4 August 1932, Page 6

DUKE SUED

EMPLCYEE CLAIMS HUGE SUM FOR WORK DONE. A claim for £3097 by Mr. AlCred Ha'-ber-; against the Duke of Marlbo'orgh was oismissed with costs in a London court lately. Mr. Harbjrt stated that from 191 G to 1922 he was the duke's financial secretary in connect'on v/ith farming orerations on the Blenheim Estates, Oxford, and from 192-2 to 1930 he ivas estate agent. He declared that ihe duke made an oral agreement to ->mr''oy him instead of chartered accountants to conduct negotiations fo" taj'. relief, and that he should be paid 5 per cent. on sums recovered. In all. h-o alleged, he recovered £61,951. Coun-el for the dulce stated that what Mr. Harbert did was in his ordinary duties. The duke gave evidence dcnying ihe aPeged agreement, and mcntion?d thrt a film of accountants had alwavs been resrons'ble for work in res; eci of his ineome tax matters. Mr Jurcice McCard'e pointed out that threrghout the correspondence between tha duke and Mr. Harbert over a long ra nge of years there was no hint by Mr. Harberc of the alleged agreement. "I cannofc help feeJing" he continued, "that Mr. Harbert thought that by bringing the matter into court he night force the duke to pay soms.hing rather than have publicity. I am satisfied that this alleged agreement was never made."