THE RODANOW MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2496, 21 March 1881, Page 4

THE RODANOW MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

On Wednesday last we published some particulars with reference to a bogus watchmaking firm, which has been extensively advertised throughout the Colonies, and is known as the Rodanow Manufacturing Company. We have been able to obtain some further information, from the “Sunday Herald,” a Boston paper, to hand by the last mail from San Francisco. Shortly before the mail left, the police had arrested a man, who gave his name as Alexander Brodanow, on a charge of using the United States mails with intent to defraud, suspicions having been aroused by the nature of the advertisements published by the “ Rodanow Manufacturing Company.” Investigation soon showed that the company only existed on paper, and the magnificent premises in Portland street, Boston, proved equally mythical. Brodanow’s headquarters turned out to be a small room, partitioned off one corner of a second hand stone store. A few cheap watches, which the police said would not bring 10 dollars at auction, were found in the place. The police had little difficulty in discovering Alexander Brodanow, who rejoiced in a second name—Dr Ganz —and had been concerned in some Socialistic movements in Europe. In the Portland street office was found a list of over 40 newspapers in which advertisements of the sham company had been inserted, including some printed in Hindoo and Chinese characters. That the business carried on by Rodanow alias Ganz bid fair to become a profitable one, may be gathered from the fact that before he was deprived of his liberty he had given receipts for over 40 registeied letters. Since his arrest the “Sunday Herald” says that registered letters for the “ Company” had been received by each foreign mail in increasing numbers. One letter contained a draft for 400 dollars, sent b}' an officer of the Spanish Navy, as pay. ment for six of the better class of watches advertised by the Rodanow Company. When the mail left the prisoner was waiting his trial. —“ Otago Daily Times.”