FALSE PRETENCES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1932, Page 6

FALSE PRETENCES

CHiXFSL'REMANDED

•DUNEDIN, September 5

“This case is after the style of “ringing the changes,” said Chief-Deteetive Young in the Magistrates Court this morning, when Arthur Wong, a- young Chinese, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft pi Bb, the property of Leonard Elrnest Stevenson.

Mr Young told the Court that the complainant (Stevenson) owned a fruit shop in Princess street, and accused had called twice and asked for change ,of a pound note, but this was not available. However, on Saturday afternoon when complainant’s son was in charge of the shop, accused returned and made a similar request. The boy told him that, he could change the note -and accused then produced a wallet. This lie opened and exhibited the edge of a £1 notee tucked into a pocket of the wallet. Wong then asked for 10s immediately and said he would return ‘later and get the rest of. the money and the wallet. He was given 9s, but when the alleged note was examined it was found that it consisted only of the extreme edge of a note. This edge -was all that could be seen. Aqcused subsequently admitted the tlieft. The Magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle) pointed oujj. that this-case might be regarded as -onie of false presences.

Mr Young-., said that it wa.s' theft by a trick, and! after the style of “ringing the changes.” 7 His Worship then directed that the charge should-be amended to olie of obtaining money by false pretences.

In reply to the Magistrate the chief detective said that he understood the Chinese.community would have nothing to db with the accused. His Worship : That is rather 'a bad sign. ,''' ' • ",

.Wong was demanded in custody for a week to eriable the probation officer to look into the base. ,