THE WELLINGTON SENSATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9368, 10 February 1909, Page 5

THE WELLINGTON SENSATION.

Per Press Association. g Wellington, February 10. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day May Halllett, alias Curtain, alias Banker, alias Bannerman, was charged with having, on the 20th January, obtained the sum of £SO from Walter Clifford by means of false pretences, by representing that she was the niece of the late Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. In the course of his evidence, Walter Clifford stated that accused accompanied his party to the Wellington Races. > Subsequently she called at the Club and said she was in great difficulties. Her father had just left enough money to pay her hotel bill and, she had to pay the D. 1.0. and some other bills before she left for Christchurch. She asked him to telegraph to Christchurch to ascertain her father’s address. Witness replied : Why trouble him? Can I assist iyou? Accused replied that if he (Clifford) could lend her fifty pounds she would send it back on the following day after she had seen her father. Witness gave her fifty pounds. In parting with this money he understood that accused was connected with a celebrated family in England. The licensee of the Grand Hotel stated that accused booked accommodation at his hotel in the name of Bannerman. In the course of conversation she said she hoped it would not come out that she was related to Sir Henry CampbellBannerman, her reason being that she might attract too much notice. Accused was committed for trial.