MILLIONAIRE’S PARTIES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1004, 21 June 1930, Page 30

MILLIONAIRE’S PARTIES

SCANDALOUS ALLEGATIONS MADE Seldom in the history of the criminal courts of South Africa has a case produced such revolting evidence as that occupying the attention of Mr. M. W. Bovill, a magistrate at Capetown. The persons in this remarkable case are: Arthur Wolstenholme, accountant, and Mrs. Gesuna Salmond, who are charged with attempted extortion and subornation to perjury in that they persuaded certain girls to make false statements against Sir J. B. Robinson, son of the late Sir Joseph Robinson, the South Africa millionaire, in order to bring a case against him demanding £IO,OOO damages for the alleged seduction of Mrs. Salmond’s youngest sister, Hester SteeDkamp. The girls, it is alleged, were told that it would enable Mrs. Salmond “to get half of Robinson’s money.’' Remarkable evidence of “Adam and Kve” parties was given by Hester Steenkamp, who testified that three naked dances had been held at which Sir J. B. Robinson had been present. The witness showed signs of distress while relating how Sir J. B. Robinson, according to her account, had criminally assaulted her on two occasions. Further allegations against Sir J. B. Robinson were made by Irene Delaporte. aged nineteen, who described herself as a friend of Robinson. Both the accused had asked her to sign a statement, which she said was a "pack of lies." The accused was remanded.