Suggestion: by the Defence of Camouflage " Transaction The case for the defence was resumed before his Honour Judge Sir Skioner Turner at H. M. Supreme Court last Friday in the action by Shakur A. Ibragimoff against the Siberian Agricultural Corpn., Ld., to recover Y.22,476, arising out of an alleged sale by defendant of a quantity of boots entrusted to their keeping to a third party.
Mr. Tycho Wing with Mr. W. S. Fleming is appearing for plaintiff and Mr. R. F. C. Master for defendants.
Shortly after Mr. Master had resumed his examination of Mr. Koralkeff, defendants' Vladivostok manager, his Lordship expressed his complete inability to grasp the purport of the evidence. Witness had denied that Dr. Shendrikoff and Ibragimoff had told the truth. Defendants said they received the godds from Tbragimoff for safe keeping yet they were not bound to account to this man. ''Is it a case where thieves fall ouf?" asked his Lordship at length, amid laughter.
Master replied that he proposed to show that these transactions were not rea] transactions. They were only made to prevent goods being seized by the authorities. He preferred to call it camouflage.
His Lordship—I do not. You say it was done to deceive the local authorities. You refuse to account for these things and the witness says Ibragimoff and Dr. Shendrikeff have told false stories. Ask him (continued.the Judge turning to the interpreter) why Ibragimoff and Dr. Shendrikoff should come here and tell lies. I can use that word -without any objection by Mr. Master.
In reply to the interpreter, witness said: I have sworn to tell the truth and I am telling what I know.
His Lordship—So did they, but give their reason. People do not as a rale come io Court to tell lies for no reason at all. That 1s my experience after a considerable number of years.
Witness recapitulated events he had already related and the question remained unanswered.
Mr. Wing (cross-examining)—Originally you got the boots for nothing?—Witness: The boots were stored by the Cossack troop and we were held responsible.
Did the boots come from the American Government and did not defendants get them for nothing?—1 may only say that all the goods stored in the godown belonged to the Corporation.
So if I put it to you that your corporation did not pay for them, you Will _still deny it?—I can only say I do not know-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.