The Simple Ones Had.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1681, 10 April 1886, Page 3

The Simple Ones Had.

Our readers will remember some weeks ago we reprinted an advertisement from the Wellington papers, m which an advertiser offered to investors of £20 cash down, interest at the rate of £1 per month for ten years, at the end of which term the principal woold be returned. When perusing this advertisement, two things .Struck us ; one was", would a single individual m any community be found simple enough to be misled by such a transparent swindle ; and the other was, why any respectable newspaper published such as an advertisement what was intended to be" a palp-, able fraud on the public. From the Yost we learn the sequel of the story. It is as follows : — The family of the man Price, whose mysterious disappearance was recently reported,: have been obliged to seek assistance from the Benevolent Institution. It was stated at the meeting of trustees yesterday afternoon that Price is supposed to have gone to Fiji, and has left his wite m delicate health and with six children to provide for, but heavily handicapped with debt, and quite destitute. He had owned a house at Newtown, but mortgaged it m order to find the means of purchasing a second property, which he likewise mortgaged to the tullest extent. The Secretary of the' lnstitution was instructed to provide for the immediate necessities of the distressed family. Humour has lately been busy with the name of the supposed absconder, who is alleged to have played largely upon the. innocence of the gullible section of the community. It has been ascertained that some weeks ago he was the promoter of an alluring scheme by which an investment of £20 was to have ensured a fortune to the speculator. An advertisement was published offering each investor of £20 interest at the race of £1 per month for ten years, at the end of which term the principal would be refunded. The proposal to pay such a high rate of interest was manifestly absurd, but some ,80 persons are said to have entrusted their money to the wily promoter, who thus netted a cool £600. The first payment became due on the Ist March, and was met promptly, which probably satisfied the investors that the affair was bonafide. But, alas for their hopes ! When tho second instalment was expected, they found that their friend had disappeared on the day preceding its maturity. There is still no absolute certainty as to P. ice having left the district, but the circumstances leave little doubt that he has gone to find some new sphere for the exercise of his ingenuity. The matter has been placed m the hands of the police for some days, so that if he ever returns, he may reckon on receiving a warm and hearty reception from 'the chagrined fortune-hunters.