BOGUS PASSAGES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 595, 28 July 1933, Page 5

BOGUS PASSAGES

(Press Assn.-

FRAUDULENT OPERATIONS END IN SUPREME COURT ACCUSED FOUND GUILTY

— By Telegraph — Oipyright).

Auckland, Thursday The charges of fraud and of theft against Harold Bradley Brownrigg, were continued in the Supreme Court to-day. The charges were. that on November 28 last, with intent to defraud, he obtained £17 from R. G. K. Manning by falsely representing that there existed a limited liability company known as Overseas Passages, Limited, and that the company could supply him with a passage to England for £25; and that having received £17 from Manning on terms requiring him to pay it for passage money or refund it to Manning, he fraudulently converted it to his own use and so committed theft. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that accused, in a statement, said the company was not registered, and the only persons connected with it were himself and a man named Stewarf. The intention of the proposed company was to endeavour to purchase en bloc third-class accommodation on ships leaving New Zealand, or to charter or purchase a ship. In the event of the contract being unfulfilled the deposits would be refunded. Accused gave evidence, saying that he conceived the idea because of the number of immigrants who were returning to England. He received 1100 inquiries. Cross-examined he said that the £75 he had received from a man as e. fidelity bond, was used in the busi11GSS. "You got £200 from Stewart?" "That was for shares." The Crown Prosecutor: "And the shares were to be transferred from Captain Jones, who does not exist?" — ."That is so." The Crown Prosecutor: "So you cold-bloodedly took Stewart down for £200?" — "Not intentionally." The Crown Prosecutor: None of these people who paid deposits can get their money back?" — "Not at present." Accused was found guilty on the charge of theft, and was remanded for sentence.