Another New Swindle.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1664, 22 March 1886, Page 2

Another New Swindle.

One of the latest methods of havinjr the public that we (Herald) have Hearcl of has just come to light at Otaki. The following advertisement appeared m the | Canterbury likes:— •••To Mothenuaadv Daughters.— A sewing machine for 2s 9d only.;— Having come to an arrangement with an American firm, ,wa, are enabled to sell their, first-class sewinr machines at the above price ; and, having, sent a consignment to Cbristcburch, we gaurantee to forward, upon receipt of 2s 6d m stamps, to any address, carriage, paid, a finely-polished, well-made, and 7 complete sewing machine. Half-dozen 7 spare machine needles, 6d extra. -Sole agents for New Zealand — Lawrence and Co., Otaki, Wellington. Word was received by the police to look into 'the matter, and Constable .Carr, of Otaki, went on the hunt. He found a man acknowledging the name of Hangs, lying m a tent, and asked for one of &is sewing machines. Harris, however,. did not* like the look of the man m blue, and stated that he wag sold out. This did not satisfy the constable, who forthwith arrested him on his own responsibility. In conversation afterwards the prisoner acknowledged that he had that day received seven or 'eight letters, each enclosing 3s worth of stamps. One of the letters was from a lawyer, and that he returned, ; sayjng ; he } was -sold ont ; another, however, was from a clergyman, and that ! he retained. AH .the letters were burnt and the stamps kepti After considerable difficulty the constable m. duced the accused to show him amacbine. which consisted of a packet of needles. Accused argued that as some time ago a man whohad advertised a table suitable for a drawing fooin for' 58 'and r gW -off when he was selling time T tables, so m his case he would get off lif he could get a clever lawyer who could prove that a needle was a " finely.pohshed.wen mtfde and complete sewing machine." His m. genuity cost him a month's imprisonment wiih hard labour.