THE OLD STORY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1277, 1 July 1886, Page 2

THE OLD STORY

A remarkable cate of imposture was (says the “ Melbourne Age " brought to light in the City Court, where a man known as JohnM. Rice, who had adopted the title of ‘‘Lord Monteagle,” was prosecuted on four charges of obtaining money by false pretences from Herman Gutheil, chtmist, Swanston street, and others. With singular effrontery, he persuaded his dupes that he was heir to vast wealth and estates of many thousands of acres “on the banks of the Shannon;” whilst in the Melbourne banks he unfortunately possessed not a solitary coin which fast causing the dishonor of his cheques, led to his arrest as a swindler. From Mr Qutheil. who was so credulous as to believe his story, the “ lord ” obtained £4O, besides free board and lodging, whilst he waited for shadowy home remittances, which never came. From Mr Taylor, of Swanston street, the rogue obtained £8 and a new suit of clothe*. From a confiding brewer, and from an equally trusting female keeping a hotel, the haughty nobleman borrowed their cash for which he gave In exchange his worthless autograph on an equally worthless cheque. The city maglj-ra'es made an example of him by sending him to gaol for two years to repent bis tolly.