“WILD GOOSE CHASE”

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 125, 24 February 1928, Page 8

“WILD GOOSE CHASE”

BOGUS TELEPHONE CALL Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, February 23. That it is an offence wilfully to make a false statement over the telephone to the substantial detriment of another person, was impressed forcibly upon two defendants in the Magistrate's Court this morning before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M. The charge, the first of its kind in Christchurch, and probably the first for the whole of New Zealand, was laid under section 10 of the Post and Telegraph Act, 1922. It provides for a fine not exceeding £lOO, or not more than twelve months’ imprisonment. Winifred Philomena Lawrence and Reginald Thomas Oliff pleaded guilty to charges that they did falsely state by telephone that a carrier was required, and that Abraham John Hook should act upon such statement to hi." substantial detriment. The defendants elected to be dealt with summarily. Chief-Detective J. Carroll stated that complainant Hook and defendant Oliff were carriers working from the same stand. On the occasion of the offence Hook was first in the line and Oliff next. The female defendant and a male were in conversation with Oliff, who had suggested a bogus call for Hook. Hook of course left the stand on a wild goose chase. Oliff had said that the offence had been in the nature of a reprisal on Hook, who had not been too clean in his business dealings. The police had no reason to disbelieve this statement. “This is the first offence of the kind I have ever had before me,” said the Magistrate, and speaking to Oliff, he said: ‘‘Do you know that the penalty for this offence is very drastic ? You are liable to a fine of £lOO, or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months. It will be just as well for you to make this Act known among your associates.” Lawrence was convicted and discharged, and Oliff was fined 10s. and costs.