ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 179, 18 April 1918, Page 6

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES

CHARGE AGAINST A FARMER, George James Mitchell, farmer, Stokes Valley, was charged in tho Magistrate s Court vesterday, before Mr. W. G. Ruldell, S'.M., that on October 25, 1916, at Silvcrstreani, he did obtain from Booth, Macdbnald and Co., Ltd., Masterton by false pretences a pump and fittings valued at JB4. Mr. H. F O Leary appeared for accused, and Cluel-Dotective Boddain prosecuted, ' ' Harold Vincont 1-alk stated that he was the agent for Booth, llacdonald and Co., Ltd., at Masterton. In October, 1016, tho firm received an order signed by G S. Mitchell for a pump which was supplied. In July, 1917, the firm received a letter from G. J. Mitchell stating that G. S. Mitchell had U'tt tor Hawern, and that there were on his farm a pumrj and piping which had been removed from tho railway station. Arthur Edward Burch, managing director of Burch and Co., Ltd., Courtenay Place, stated that on April 2-4. 1911, tho firm received a letter signed by Lt. b. Mitchell, in which tho writer stated that he would send his farm produce to the firm. The letter also contained an order for outs, chaff, and pollard, of the valuo of between .£lO and which were sent to the address given. On May 15 1917, the firm wroto to G. &. Mitchell asking for payment. Two days later a reply was received from G. J. Mitchell, stating that one of his cousins had taken delivery of the goods pending the return of G. S. Mitchell. On July 12, 1917, tho firm received a letter written from the Lower Hutt, and signed by Sarah Mitchell, in which she stated that her husband, G. S. Mitchell, was sufferin", from bronchitis, and wouM send a cheque as soon as lie was well. the money had never been received. William Charles M'Donakl, an assistant iu the employ of Radford and Co., Wellington, stated that on October 26, 1916 the firm received an order from G. S Mitchell, farmer, Silverstream, for a 40n-»allon tank. The tank, which was valued at A was forwarded, but was never paid for. On September 15, 1917. wit'ie-s went to accused's property, and reccnised the tank. He asked for Mitchell, and was told that he was away. Witness then removed the tank. The firm did not receive a letter from G. J. Mitchell requesting the removal of the tank. _ , , . Detective-Sergeant Rawle produced a statement which had been made by the accu«ed. In this statement he said the *'or.-»-i)«mi) »mi pipins wove. left, on his property "and that he had written to Booth. 'Mr.cd'-mnld and Co. on the mailer asking them to remove them. He had also written to Eftdford and Co. respecting the lank. Several other witnesses were called, but their evidence was not of very great importance. The accused pleaded not guilty, and was commitletl to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in £50 nnd one surety of Jiso.