PURCHASE OF HOUSE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1928, Page 4

PURCHASE OF HOUSE

TRADESMEN VICTIMISED. WANGANUI. May 22. The story how John Edward \\ el,don. alias H. A. Durant, a middleaged man, traded on the credulity of unsuspecting •businessmen of Wanganui was related in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Weldon first engaged a taxi-proprie-tor named Richard Kendrick of New Plymouth, to drive him tb Wanganui. On the way down he called at several dairy factories, leading the taxi proprietor to believe that he was an inspector of machinery. At Wanganui lie got the taxi to drive him on to Marton, where he stayed the night, I'eturning to Wanganui next mornin,■! lie asked the taxi-driver to vi' T eet him in tho afternoon, but did not keep the appointment to pay the account of £ls.

On May 7. Weldon interviewed Thomas Gillman. a land agent, and signed up for the purchase of u sev-en-roomed hoifte at St. John s Hill, intimating that he would pay cash, niul was a West Coaster with a hanking account at Westport. Weldon then interviewed Leonard C. Trevers, of Pursers. Ltd., who took him to a house, and after a minute inspection and most careful negotiations, Weldon arranged to purchase £137 worth of furniture. He arranged, by an introduction from Pursers. Ltd., with Gilbertson, a carpenter, to mako about £IOO woitli of alterations to the house, and for Tingcys, Ltd., to thoroughly renovate the interior. Tho workmen of both the latter firms started work.

He also went joy-riding in the taxi of Harry Diinstall, running up an account of £2 15s. Ho borrowed £5 from one of the .business firms with whom ho had been negotiating. With' this ho shouted for sundry heads of firms, who thought they had an excellent client. Weldon told them that tho alterations were being specially made for bis daughter, who was oil the West Coast, and lie wanted her to have the best, as she deserved it. He also promised a house-warming in typical "West. Coast stv'V.

When the home w.ts ready for occupation, a disconcerting reply to a telegram to the Bank of New South Wales at Westport, showing that he had no' funds, caused the bird to fly from the river city, and he was subsequently arrested at Wellington.

To-day, Weldon pleaded guilty to three charges of attempting to obtain credit by fraud, and was committed for sentence to the Supreme Court.