PSEUDO CLERGYMAN

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1921, Page 4

PSEUDO CLERGYMAN

ESCAPADE IN AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, Aiiril 11

A young man named Claude Qsmonde Barker, twenty-five years ol age, who had masqueraded as a clergyman in Auckland among business people came before Mr Foynton, S.M., to-day on three charges of having obtained about £ls worth of goods on valueless cheques and on three other charges of having attempted to obtain a motor-car and about £3OO worth of drapery and furnishings by false pretences. Barker was also charged with being in unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to the evidence, given, accused, immaculately dressed, in the cloth of a. clergyman, stayed at the Star Hotel on the Thursday before Good Friday, and during the day called at sevral business places. He invariably produced visting cards printed “Rev. W. F. Don, M.A.,” and intimated that he was just from Christchurch and ho had had his arrangements spoiled by the banks being, closed for the holidays. On the strength of his appearance and manner, he obtained a safety razor and a cigarette case at Coleman s, a camci,. at Suckling's, and clothing at Fowhls. in each case getting some change in cash, which lie said lie required f< “tips” at his hotel. It was noticeable that each of the three cheques issued was signed “F. \V. Don,” not M.I 1 ■ Don,” and that the printed numbers were cut from the cheques. fi-*e latter he explained was a Christchurch business custom. He visited the firm < Gillctt Motors Ltd., and entered into negotiations for the purchase of a £9*s Hudson motor-car. He had a trial spin, and being unable to get immediate possession of the car on the cheque, In proposed to give, lie made arrangements to have the use of it until after the holidays, when he said he could fully satisfy th vendor of his financial standing. He called at John Court s and told his usual story of being a clergyman from Christchurch, transferred to Wellington, and on holidays to get married before taking over his new charge He had a list of goods running from lur coats, carpets, silks, and satins down to gloves, the order to tailing about £l5O in value. He proposed to call in his car later and get the goods, but the firm’s credit manager got him on the tclphone just before hank closing time and insisted on some satisfactory reference of his ability to pay. The business man stated that the goods could not be handed over in the meantime. Accused had been to Andrews and Clark’s and had selected (according to the list he had) household furnishings to the value of £l5O.

The “clergyman’s” inabilty to backup with references any of his financial obligations came to the ears ol Detective Sergeants Ward and Hammond who visited him at the hotel. Under persistent inquiry, accused failed to sustain his ministerial character :uid eventually owned up. when arrest was inescapable. “My name is Barker,” he confessed "I have a business in Christchurch with a partner as motor engineers, and we have a partnership nc,-ount in the Bank of New Zealand. I think it i in credit to about £‘lso. If T get : chalice, I will pay back the money 1 received here. T wanted to gel m ■ ried and I thought T would get im goods in this way. T thought this slimt out and thought T could pull 1 off. I thought a parson’s clothes wouldbring them.

The detectives then found that accused had arrived in AuckUml on W nosday, March 22, in ordinary riotin's and had engaged a sample room, staling Hint lie was a commercial traveller. When they visited the sample rooms they found a large, empty wooden ease three large empty trunks-, and a suit case containing a change of clothing and a loaded revolver. Indue of the trunks was also a sheet of paper w:C the following plan of campaign written on it in accused’s handwriting: “Boxes, sample crates etc. Must be put in hand as soon as motor is sold. Get to Auckland in time to look out two houses, failing that taka sample rooms or cellar storage (one hour ordinother in dress). Arrive in ordinary clothes, engage cellar, look round town pick out your marks, then change and engage another sample room or house. Stay at best hotel.” Accused told Detective-Sergeant Ward that lie had intended using the motor only for transporting goods to the sample room, and then somewhere else. Afterwards he would have abandoned the car. Barker, for whom 31 r Dickson appeared, stated that lie would formally plead not guilty, but that at the Supreme Court lie would plead guilty. He was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.