MOTOR FRAUDS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1929, Page 6

MOTOR FRAUDS

WARNING TO BUYERS

(By Telegraph, Per Press Association

HAMILTON, Nov. 20

A warning to people buying motors to deal only with honest men was given hv Air Justice Herdman at the Supreme Court this afternoon. He sentenced two Taumaranui dealers who confessed to fraudulently selling cars obtained on hire purchase, and still legally belonging to the original vendors. “Unless this warning is taken,” said the Judge, “a person may pay cash for a vehicle in the belief that lie becomes the owner, only to find Inter that it has been sold to him by a person who has no title to it, the last meiitiued person being only a bailee, holding the vehicle under what is popularly known as a hire purchase agreement. No amount of searching in the Supreme Court office would reveal to me purchaser the existence of this contract, for the law, as it stands, does not require that these instruments shall he registered. . Whether or not legislation is required to protect the public, it is not for me to say.” The prisoners in the case were John AT. Biehara and Geoffrey A. Traylnim, who pleaded guilty to 15 charges of fraud. Each was sentenced on one year’s hard labour, and to two years’ reformat ive detention.