BOGUS COLLECTORS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20023, 23 August 1939, Page 5

BOGUS COLLECTORS

LARGE PROFITS MADE TRICKS .OF BEGGARS LONDON, July 10. Large profits made by bogus- collectors for charity were mentioned at the annual meeting of the London Mendicity Society .at the Belgrave Square residence of Viscount Clifden, who presided Some of the offenders had been known to the society for years, s-aid Lord Clifden. One beggar, whose method was -to send! a poem with a pathetic plea for help, had -a record covering nearly- 30 years. Last year 650 street beggars came before the Metropolitan magistrates, a slight increase on the previous- year. Mr. S. R. Bosanquet, K.C., said: “I know a man who has the _ letters Litt.D. -after his name. I believe he got them from what I am told is called -the Columbia University, which occupies, a small house in Northi London. You go to this university, you pay your fee, you take your studies and you get your degree, all in the same day. You pay .your money and take your choice.” £I7OO in Five Months

Capt. B. S. Townroe told of two men who made house-.to-b.ouse collections in London'for hospitals. They succeeded so well that they decided to operate in county towns. They wrote to a chief constable, who sought information from 1 the London Mendicity Society. As a result there was a police court case. It was revealed that the men had collected £I7OO in five months and had allotted 1 to .themselves £IOOO as salaries. In addition, they charged for an office in London and travelling expenses. There was also an organisation Which .left large sacks at houses for cast-off clothing for hospitals. It was later discovered that the goods collected were sent to the Caledonian Market. The hospitals- received 5s each.

Capt. E. A. Godson said the reduction in the number of flag days had brought a considerable increase in tht» amounts collected.