AN ACCOMPLISHED SWINDLER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 60, 11 March 1878, Page 4

AN ACCOMPLISHED SWINDLER

[ Wellington Post, March 6.]

A few weeks weeks ago a young man of aristocratic appearance, who i Baid to be connected with a family high in social position in England, landed in Wellington. He gave his name as Jacobsen, and on arrival ia Port complained to the Captain of the Araby Muid, ia which ship he came out, that he had been robbed of a valuable gold watch. The captain made enquiries, and in the mean lime Jacobsen went to the Empire Hotel, where be lived on the fat of the land. When asked to pay he made some excuse. He borrowed money from several people in the town and suddenly disappeared. It was suppoeed that he had ieturned to England, stowed away in the St. Leonard's, with the captain of which he was well acquainted, but this supposition has since proved to be incorrect. He went to Pahautanui, where he put up at Mrs Hillen's Hotel, living, as at the Empire, on the best of everything. He here represented himself as Count Mouraveiff, and said he wa3 connected wilh one of the Russian Embassies, and had come out to New Zealand to write a book on the country. His bill was so heavy, that Mrs Hillen requested payment at the end of the first week. He said he had not sufficient mouey in his pocket, but would draw on the Union Bank if anyone would take the draft to town. He accordingly drew for £10, and Mr London, carrier, brought the draft to (he bank aud cashed it. At the time no one looked at the signature, but it has since been found to be H. Jacobaen. The reaJy munoer iv which the draft was honored removed any doubts which Mrs Hillen might have had, and she let bitu remain for another fortnight, wiibout presenting her bill. At ths end of this time he said he would proceed up country to see the interior, aod he wanted h couple of horses and a groom. This was on Tuesday last. Mrs Hftften sold him a horse for £20, for which he gave a cheque. For his reckoning, which came to about £i 2, he gave another cheque for £20, and Mrs Hillen handed him the balance in notes. Another horse waß obtained from Mr Avery, of the Tails, and a cheque for £16 given in payment. The "Count," in tne meantime, had managed to insinuate himself into the good graces of several settlers in the neighborhood, and from ?hem he borrowed various sums. Mr Robinson, who whs staying aj ihe hotel, lent him £31, aod when preparing to leave, ihe " Count " gave him a cheque for the amount. A servnni having been obtained, this pleaßuntapokeD, liberal geutlemau set out on the road lor Fuxton yesterday morning, amid many good wishes that he might have a pleasant journey. Later ia ihe day the cheque were presented to the Uuioo Bauk for payment, wheu it was found that there was no a.-couot to the credit of "A. H. Mjuravitff," aud £hoy were consequently returned dishonored. The police were Ht once communicated with, and telegrams were sent to the constables stationed along the roaJ. Consiable Cootes, of Chaki, succeeded in traciog the "Count," whom he arrested,