A SENSATIONAL CLAIM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3259, 3 July 1911, Page 5

A SENSATIONAL CLAIM.

DAMAGES £50,000 AWARDED.

WORTHLESS SHARE TRANSACTIONS

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, June 30.

Before the King’s Bench Division, Mrs. Eleanor Curtis . executrix of her father, the late R. Master, a retired civil servant, sued Horatio Bottomley for £57,835, which she alleged he obtained by selling the deceased worthless shares. Defendant denied misrepresentation. A verdict was given for plaintiff for £50,000 damages. Stay of execution was granted, on condition that the full amount was paid into court within a week.

AN UNSCRUPULOUS DEVICE. COUNSEL’S SEVERE COMMENTS. (Received July 2, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 1. Evidence in the worthless shares case showed that Master met Bottomley through the latter writing stating that he wished to help those who had lost their money in previous Bottomley companies. Master lost £90,000 in share dealing with Hooley and Bottomley, in connection with investments in the John Bull Investment Trust Agency. Carter’s Deep Leads, and other companies. Practically all the shares were worthless.

Mr. Hooley compromised Mrs. Curtis’ action against him. Bottomley did not go into the witness box

Plaintiff’s counsel stated that Bottomley sucked the poor, the old. the deaf, and the infirm dry. For five months Hooley and Bottomley were conspirators together and shared the plunder.