A Peculiar Case.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 352, 28 February 1902, Page 1

A Peculiar Case.

A queer case of trust was investigated in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington. Oscar Miller was charged with having obtained £5 10s from James Mackay Newton by false pretences with intent to defraud him. The evidence for tho prosecution set forth that Newton was a whisky merchant in Panama street, and that Miller introduced himself to Newton as being influential at tho Wellington Club. Miller suggested that he might introduce Newton’s whisky into tho Club, and got samples from Newton. By whom the sampling was done was not brought out in evidence, but it seemed that no trade resulted. The friendship established on this unsubstantial basis allegedly ripened into trustfulness. Miller spoke to Newton about Sir George Clifford, Sir George was a particular friend of Miller’s, and Miller had given Sir George £ll to invest for him on anything Sir George thought 11 deadly.” Newton was offered a chance to get on to the “ good thing,” and he a came at it ” straight away with £2 . Miller at this rang up by telephone a place said to be the Wellington Club, and informed a suppositious Sir George Clifford (whom he called “Mr” Clifford) that a friend of his (Miller’s) had gone in shares with him in the investments Sir George was going to make on Miller's behalf. Subsequently Newton advanced othersums on this prospect and brought the total up to £6 10s. After the races were over Miller told Newton that he had a difficulty in finding Sir George Clifford, who had not returned to town. Eventually Miller told Newton that he had not put the money on with Sir George Clifford. Me had wagered it himself aud had lost it. About this time the detectives came into the case, and shortly afterwards Millertold Newton that if the latter- would let him off a prosecution he would refund Newton £5 10s within two hours. Accused mado a statement to the Court to the effect that he never represented that Sir George Clifford would put any money on for him. He never got money from Newton on that representation. Ho would reserve his defence, and ask that he be tried by jury. He was committed for trial at the next sittings of the Supreme Court, bail being allowed in two sureties o£ £ SO , aud accused’s own bond of a like amount.