PIMENTAL ON TRIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 5 November 1930, Page 3

PIMENTAL ON TRIAL

ON FRAUD CHARGES. (Bv Telegraph—i'reaa Awooixtion > WELLINGTON, November 4. Allegations that he falseiy- represented that he was the accredited' representative of the Mecca Oil Coy., o. California, “one of the biggest and oldest oil companies in America,” and,' in that way, obtained sums of inoiuy from nien who answered his newspaper advertisements, are made against Morton Parker, Pimentnl, whose trial was commenced in the Supreme Court today. Air Justice Ostler was on the bench. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr P. S. K. Macassey, with Mr C. Evans Scott, is conducting the prosecution. Air J. F. B. Stevenson and Mr A. C. Mantell-Hnrding are appearing for the accused.

Mr Evans Scott said that P. Wimsett and R. Patterson were the first and last persons from whom it was alleged that Piniental had falsely obtained money. There were four others—Alfred Dudley Smith, Ernest William Wakefield, Isaac Joseph Bason, and Robert Leith Begg, in respect of whom, however, Pimentnl was not charged; hut they would be called to give evidence.

With' slight variations," it was alleged that Piniental represented to the prospective agents (1) that he was the accredited representative of the Mecca Oil Coy., with its headquarters in California; (2) that that Company had its own oil wells and refineries there; (3) that it was one of the oldest oil companies in the world ; (4) that a person investing capital in the company under the conditions that the accused offered could not bn running any financUil risk, as the investor would be covered all the time by having the equivalent value of his capital represented in oil; (5) that the company was in a position enabling it, very • shortly, to be on a par with such companies as Atlantic Union, Texas, and other well known companies. Pimental’s story was believed, and, in some cases, the money paid over represented the life savings of tile parties. Various persons subsequently discovered that the accused was merely buying oil locally and selling it at a slightly increased price. In not one case, it was alleged, had the people who had dealt with the accused received oil to the same value as the money they paid to - the accused. Evidence on the lilies of that given in the lower court was given by Phillip Percy Wimsett, salesman, who described the answering of the advertisement, and his subsequent transactions, leading to a dispute in the office over accounts, which culminated in a fight. “I said,” said witness, “I have had enough of your , and your crook oil business. I was rising from a chair, ■with the statement in my hand, when lie punched me in the jaw, and tried to grab it away from me. He tore the statement. I retaliated properly and finished up by getting him against the i wall and punching him properly. He cried oiit for help, and eventually man pulled me off him. I handed him jmy set of keys, and said T wanted a settlement in full on Monday morning.” j Witness, continuing, said that the statement that he was handed on the

following Monday showed that Pirnental owed him £SO. Pimental, however, owed him £94/6/-, which he had not received back.

Winisett also gave details of what had happened in a store in Dixon Street. Empty drums had been purchased from different oil companies, and he had seen different weights of oil mixed. He taxed’ Pimental a (unit that, and Pimental said: “Someone has got to get it, and they will have some fun with it, too!” Considerable further evidence was given by other witnesses alleged to have been victimised by Pimental. The representatives ,of oil companies detailed transactions concerning Pimental’s purchase, of oil. The case was adjourned till to-mor-row.