FALSE PRETENCES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 991, 13 May 1911, Page 3

FALSE PRETENCES.

WOMANS EFFORT TO LIVE. WELLINGTON, May 10. Tlio story of tin: wrongs allegedly sufferred by a woman al, the hands of her husband, who resides in New South Wales, and her subsequent, endeavours, after all legitimate means had failed, to provide for herself and a child by ways not, permitted by the statute laws of the Dominion was unfolded in the Magistrate's Court before Mr G. W. Riddell, S.M., to-day. Edith Alma Vallis pleaded guilty to charges of imposing on certain persons by means of fatse representation with a view to obtain money. Chief Detective Brolierg stated that accused, who was separated from her husband, arrived at Wellington from Sydney on February 8 last, in company with an artist. A few days later she obtained permission to hold an art union of pictures which were painted by her companion. The pictures were placed an view at a local shop, and accused canvassed the town with tickets under an assumed name. She proceeded to Carterton, and culled upon Mr F. F'eisto, to whom she stated that the art union was in aid of her brother, who was dying of cancer in the hospital. A somewhat similar story was told by Mr James MonerieU', with the addition that the benefit was organised by tbo Masonic Lodge at Petone. Mr Moncrieff bought five tickets at 2s cadi, and also donated 10s to the fund Mr Win. Booth was next visited, and he also bought tickets, after listening to the story of the sick brother, who was now in the Wellington Hospital. Mr T. M. Wilford, who appeared for accused, said that there were always two sides to a story. Mrs Vallis was married to a man who became such a drag on her that she was forced to leave him, and she subsequently obtained a separation order from him, with the custody of tiledr child. She came to Now Zealand with the artist, and tried hard to sell the tickets for the art union on their merits, but failed. She was taken ill, and had no money to pay for food for herself and child. In the middle of her trouble two men came across from Sydney and stole the child from the house she was staying in. She immediatly gave chase, and after a struggle in a side street got the child back again. Seeing before her a future which she did not know how to cope w ith, she picked out several wealthy persons and told them the story about her sick brother, in order fo induce them to purchase tbo tickets. Mr Wilford asked that ■die should be treated leniently, as she bad never been guilty of any wrong before.

The accused was convicted, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, a condition being that the money obtained is refunded.