EDGAR WALLACE PLOT

Chronicle (Levin), 6 August 1947, Page 5

EDGAR WALLACE PLOT

, -Press Association

Amazing Story Told In Suprenie Court

( By Telegraph

CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 6. DeScfibing the experiences of Herbert Charles Barton, tailor, aged 49, from the time Barton absconded from bail after a Lower Court hearing until the time he slirreiidered to the police in Christ-^ chutch, his counsel, Mr. C. S. Thomas declared in' the Supreme Court this morning that the story resembied a plot from the pen of Edgar Wallace. Barton appeared for sentence on five counts of breaking, entering and theft, and two couhts of theft. He was sentenced to two years' hard labour. After the preliminary hearing Barton had been approached by two men, one of Whom was know in the undefworld as "The Killer." This man said that if Barton would give him £1000 they would "dump" him, by which, said Mr. Thomas, it was meant that they would get him out of the country. Barton decided to pay the money. "They spirited him from place to piace until he arrived in Auckland," said Mr. Thomas. "He lay up in a house in Auckland for some time. One of the stepping stones by which 'The Killer' was to dump him, was that Barton should go to Australia," continued Mr. Thomas. "The Killer3' pointed out to Barton that New Zeaiand currency was useless in Australia, and he would be pick'ed up if he used iarge quantities of it there. Barton had £8000 in his pockets. "The Killer" said he knew two men on a colonial boat Who would take £1000 to Australia, change it to Australian currency and then bring the money back. Barton was taken to the Auckland wharf, where he met two men named Jack and John, to whom he handed £1000. Next day, said Mr. Thomas, "The Killer" came and said the men thought they would be abie to change' all Barton's money, so he handed over the balance of £7000. barton then laid up for weeks and when the boat returhed to Auck^ land he was there to meet it. Jack and John, however, were not on it and after that "The Killer" lost interest. From Auckland Barton travelled to Wellington, where friends advised him to go to Christchurch ahd consult counsel. This Barton did and he (Mr. Thomas) had advised him to go straight to the police. This Barton had done.