"Man from the West."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 98, 18 April 1914, Page 5

"Man from the West."

A NURSE'S EXPER!ENCES.

MARRIAGE SETTLEMENT £35,000.

At the Central Court, Sydney, Frank R. Moloney (30) was charged with having stolen £IOO, the property of Margaret Kersham Slack, at Sydney, on February 14. Miss Slack stated that she carried on a nurses' home at Victoria Street, Sydney. She first made the acquaintance of accused about the beginning of January last, when he asked her to recommend a private hospital and a doctor. He said he was a stranger, and did not know how to go about such things. She gave him the names of several hospitals. A couple of days later he came back, and in conversation said, "I suppose you make a good thing out of this business/' Witness replied, "No, we do not," He then said,. "I am a big racing man, and if you care, I'll put yon-on to a good thing." He said ho was Moloney, from the West, and owner of a big racing stable there. He told her he had arranged about a hospital, and asked her to recommend a nurse. She introduced a Miss Clarke to him. Ho told Nurse Clarke to hold herself in readiness. The patient was his sister. He then asked her if she was a betting woman, and would she like to take a sporting change.

She Said: "I Don't Mind." Each gave him 10a to invest o» some horse race, at his discretion. Accused called . several times. He also rang up. He told her he was owner of Belmont Stables, and Mr Connelly was his trainer. He gave her to understand that he owned Silver Lad and Plastine, and that ho lived with Mr and Mrs Connelly at Trainer Pike's cottage, at Randwick. Ho told her also that he was a big i mining man in the West, and owned the Palace Hotel in Perth and other hotels and businesses. Mr Burgess, he said, was his private secretary. She gave him £5 to put on Gigandra on Anniversary Day. He said, 'Why not make it £so.' She said that she might scrape that together, but •it was all she had in the bank. He said, "What does it matter! You'll get it back in thousands." She went to the bank and drew the money out, and gave it to him. She gave him money at other times to put on horses in the races.

Eventually He Proposed Marriage. Ho told her he had never found anyone he cared for until he met her. He said he wished to make a marriage settlement on her, and would place £35,000 to her credit if she could show that she. had a banking account for £IOO. She told him she had not a hundred pounds, and he suggested raising it on the home. She had agreed to marry him. She borrowed £IOO and gave it to him. He said he would put it to her account with the £35,000, and it was to go to Perth. She said, "Why transfer it to the West?" He replied, "That's where we are going to live, and that is where your money should be." Later he told her/his private secretary had betrayed his trust by telling his people in the West of his marriage, and he had dismissed him. He also said he was going to withdraw all his property and money in the West and come to live in Sydney. The account, ho said, was being transferred from Perth to Sydney, and he had no money. He said to her, "You will bavo to stand to me for a week till our account comes." Witness borrowed another £SO on the home, and gave it to him. He said, "I only need it till Friday." Before Friday he' saw her again and said, "That £SO has gone in legal expenses. I 'must have more, and you will have to - borrow it again." She borrowed another £lO, which she gave to him. Before the Friday, he got further amounts—£lo, £2, £2 17s 6d, £5, and £1 twice. He said he must have it for legal expenses.

Altogether He Cot £320 between January 1 and March 6 last. When accused left for Melbourne, she told him she had not a penny left in the world. She had given him everything. He said, "I am collecting £6OOO to-morrow for a bet, and will wire you £300." She had not got any of the money back from him She remembered being rung up on the telephone by a person who said ho was Mr Connelly. He said, "I have done that betting for you; ifc is quite all right. Mr Moloney is one of the wealthiest men in the West, and one of the finest and whitest. I've worked for him for many years, and he is the best boss I lia"e ever known. He has said that he is worth £300,000 or £400,000." At the time she met accused, she knew nothing about horse racing. To accused: You promised to many me. The day for the jnarriage was April 18 (to-day). I had you arrested because you did not keep your word. You said you would bo back on Monday, and would wire me £3OO. I lent the money to you under the pretence that you were Mr Moloney, of the West, and a very wealthy man. Accused was ■ committed for trial. Bail was fixed at £3OO.