Aucklanders’ Duped

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1923, Page 4

Aucklanders’ Duped

——— CANADIAN WORKS CONFIDENCE TRICK. AUCKLAND, March 2. Details of the maimer in which some people in Auckland were duped by a Canadian xxlio figured in the local Police Court, and who, it was stated, got into trouble in Wellington, came out in the Supreme Court. The story was told in connexion with an allegation that .Major James Avondale Hope Johnstone was tricked hy a Canadian ox-soldier into hacking a hill of exchange. The plaintiffs. Hancock and Co., hrevei's, claimed £SO on a hill of exchange from Johnstone. Ml Anderson, for the defence, explain, <! Unit le-t May a mall describing hini-cO' as “Captain William Da'"iip.ori Drown" arrived by the Mekui.i at \ iickhuul. Jjrown was introdne- <•<! iJoim-tone. who is a major mi the rcsieve list of the British Army. Some ll' slier lii.s arrival, the Canadian i'ailed on Major Joniistoii" al . the Northern Club and asked him to wit-iie-s Ins signature on military papers lo; ihe recovery ol pay and allow a nee. .Major .lohiist me had a look at Llm papers and -aw the words “on account of pay and pension to date." He turned ii over with the intention of writing the iisiiiii certification that idle person whose name appeared on the papers was spill alive when Brown i" marked. '‘Mu need not put that on. Jiisl put your name and military tank, t have to take these doeiiiueiits down to tlm Canadian Commissioner for his stamp and signature." The do mneiit (in duplicate), was then signed. Major Joil'* 1 tone, in evidence, said that lie did not know he had signed a bill of exeU'iigo when he put his name to tlii ‘hieuiuent Brown was in a liiinw mid left the club immediately ■>' [ aids. Brown wns friendly with one and talked about having. a (lying uiaeliine and was going to take up "Tom. Dick and Harry." He even said he v.;>- going to Sydney with the (love lit,; . The machine was n liivth. fir. mi in Ned with the lie- 1 penile in Auckland and knew; everybody. lie • lined here, there and everywhere. “I am not going to compromise people." added witness “but he mixed with top Hoteliers.’’ Mr Justice Herdman: Tien like Brown erme along every ten years. TV lll mss ; Time frequently, judging hy newspaper reports. Witness agreed that he had more than the usual experience of the world and of travel. Counsel : Was Brown a convivial IVmiid ? lie was a convivial liar. Was he a convivial friend? Abnormally so. 11 is Honour said that lie believed the major's evidence, bui- tbc que-tion war " bet her lie bad exercised enough care before he put bis signature to the document in order In ascertain what it was. Judgment xvas reserved.