UNWELCOME VISITORS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 17 August 1880, Page 3

UNWELCOME VISITORS.

What is known as the " frand system" in she United States has assumed such dimensions that the authorities find it necessary to take extraordinary steps for jje protection of the public. In the official Postal Guide for February a list is (riven of persons conducting " lotteries and other schemes to defraud the public," anil postmasters throughout the TJuited Suites are instructed neither to pay moneyorders nor to deliver registered letters to them or their agents. The Melbourne \r"U3 states that some of these chemlien d r indudrie found their way to the recent Exhibition at Sydney, where they ijractised their fraudulent arts with success. It is conjectured that they will en(iavor to turn the Melbourne Exhibition to account in a similar manner, and the irwus therefore publishes the name 3 in order that people may be on their guard. The list comprises at least 200 bogus finn 3, many of whom figure occasionally in the columns of Colonial papers, inviting custom as printing and publishing companies, pianoforte-makers, jewellers and watchmakers, " art" and "novelty" companies, and so on. The Argus gives ■warning that should any of them obtain a footing a3 exhibitors at the coming Exhibition, it is easy to see that I y obtaining •deposits on illusory sales, they might iieece the public to a large extent. The applications for space will doubtless be carefully scrutinised by the Exhibition authorities, and the general public should protect itself by refusing to deal with plausible strangers whose credentials are open to suspicion.