IMPUDENT FRAUDS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1921, Page 3

IMPUDENT FRAUDS

BUSINESS FIRMS VICTIMISED. *

WELLINGTON, May 11

Details of impudent frauds perpetrated on various city firms were given in the police court to-day, when six charges of obtaining articles and money from various shops were preferred

against Harold. Bruce Anderson. While in the dock, Anderson bore all the appearances of a man suffering severely from the effects of St. Vitus dance; but Cliief-Detective Ward said that accused was merely acting. The charges were: —(1) Obtaining from G. and T. Young, jewellers, goods valued at £55 by means of false pretences and use of a valueless cheque; (2) obtaining from E. C. Browne and Co., Ltd., outfitters goods valued at £4 7s 6d by similar false pretences; (4) attempting to obtain from the same firm a dinner suit valued at £lB Bs., by the same false pretence; (5) obtaining from George drapers, Newtown, a fur coat valued at £l2, by means of a valueless cheque drawn on the National Bank of New ►"Zealand; (6) obtaining from William Henry Coy, Newtown, £5 by a valueless cheque drawn on the National Bank of New Zealand. Raymond Ernest Bennell, accountant at the Te Aro branch of the National Bank of New Zealand in his evidence stated that he remembered accused calling at the bank on April 28th. He gave the name of Hillyer and said lie came from New South Wales where he had money. The purpose of the visit was to find out . the best way of transferring his account. Tie told witness that he was “buying into’’ some iron foundry in Wellington. Accused 'md no account in witness’s branch. William Matheson Nairn, a ban':' employed in. the same bank, said that j accused told that he had seen the ac- :

countant about getting some money from Australia, and that he had arranged to open an account. He asked witness for a cheque hook which was supplied. Thomas Gray Young, partner G. and T. Young, jewellers said that he knew accused whom he saw for the first time on April 27th. in the firm’s shop. Accused said lie was Dr Anderson, of Wanganui, and that he wanted to purchase an engagement ring not to cost more than £3O. In addition lie wanted to purchase a wedding ring, bracelet watch and brooch, which he wanted by 5 o’clock on the following day. The firm had not been paid for the articles. Rita Crane, shop assistant employed by the last witness, said that she handed over the articles mentioned to accused, with the exception of two brooches, which she posted to Lyill Bay. Accused paid fur the articles by cheque, which had not been honoured.

Bernard Tucker, salesman in the employ of E. C. Browne and Co., Ltd., said that accused call at. the shoo j on the morning of April 23 and introj duced himself as Dr Anderson, saying i that he was a cousin of Dr Anderson of ■ Wanganui, with whom he was going to | commence business. He purchased sevi eral articles, including a dinner suit, which cost £lB Bs. Accused said he would pay by cheque for the whole ! amount later on. The value of he , articles actually supplied was £lO 45., j but this amount had not been paid. j Alfred Edward Stone said that V* I manged the Newtown branch of George | and George’s store. Accused came to I the shop and decided to purchase a fur | coat, the price of which was £l2 12s. Accused paid for the coat by cheque j which had been dishonoured. William Henry Coy., chemist, New- ; town, said that on two occasions prior > to April 28tli. accused had called for j photographic material, for which he j had paid cash. Accused said lie was a j traveller for Sargood. Son and Ewen, j and was put off for two days each week j on account of slackness of trade. On ; April 29th. he called at the shop and i gave an order for material valued at £2 14s. Before he left the shop accused made out a cheque for £7 14s. and wit- ; ness handed him £5 in cash. Accused then used the telephone. He appeared i to he ringing up a hank asking if a , draft had arrived. Accused remarked to witness: “I don’t wish to be overdrawn.” ' Detective James Torrance said that he saw accused in Courtenay Place, : smartly dressed and quite normal. Accused told witness that his name was Anderson, but Tie was not related to Dr. Anderson of Wanganui. He was called “Doctor” as a nickname. Amis- 1 ed had just arrived from Sydney and had plenty of money, having arranged to transfer his account. Witness took accused to the detective office, where he apparently became hysterical and would give no information. The same evening witness recovered some of the articles. Accused pleaded guilty and \yas committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. i