A CONFIDENCE MAN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5359, 3 December 1928, Page 2

A CONFIDENCE MAN.

VISIT MADE TO MORRINSVILLE. BUSINESS PEOPLE VICTIMISED. Two months ago a man giving his name as W. P. Connell came to Morrinsville and stayed at ope of the hotels (says thq Morrinsville Star). He posed' as a wealthy farmer anM* stated he had just purchased a farm at Eureka. Colour was lent to the assertion when a married couple arrived in Morrinsville from Pukekohe with their furniture to go to the farm as sharemilkers at £4 lOfc a wee;k. Unfortunately the farm did not exist and the(y were left stranded. The enterprising gentleman then called 1 on a Morrinsville furniture depot and stated that he intended getting married shortly and would require about £2OO worth of furniture. When the deal was nearly fin ished the “farmer” discovered his bank account had not beep transferred to Morrinsville. .He spun so » plausible a story that he was success- W ful in borrowing a pound. The next visit was to a fruit shop. He ordered a case of changes and a case of apples. When the time for settlement arrived “Mr Connell” found that he had lost a£s note. He was no doubt convincing, for he managed to borrow another pound, promising to call back next day. Ha did call, and managed to increase his capital to £3. He left as security for the return of the money a rijng. Another citizen, a motor salesman, was duped. Mr Connell made arrangements to purchase one of the latest models of c,ars. When the salesman went out to Eureka to deliver it he found no Mr Connell andi«v no farm. He was told he was not only one who was looking for. the “wealthy farmer.” Several other Morrinsville residents were victimised', but they refused to admit it when questioned by the police. When the harvest in Morrinsville was reaped, operations were transferred to Cambridge and continue;! with equal success. At Waihi trouble was encountered. The man was caught, and in .the Waihi Co.urt last week and admtted32 "g charges of false pretences, including * the procuration by false pretences of two sutas of money from, Morrinsville business people. Under th e . name of O’Oopnell was sentenced to a term of sevenaT r days’ imprisonment on one charge and convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called unon op the other 31 charges. He was also ordered to make restitution.