LIVING ON HIS WITS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 32, 5 September 1916, Page 8

LIVING ON HIS WITS.

Certain residents of Stratford will learn with much satisfaction of tiie running to prison of one who ingratiated himself with them while on a short but merry visit to this district 'not very long ago. The Otago Daily Times reports as follows: Alfred Daniel Walton, a well-dressed man of about (Mr J. 11. Bartholomew, S.M., in the 140 years of age, was charged before 'City Police Court on the 25th, with having, on flic 10th inst., at Dunedin, 1 with intent to defraud, obtained from Thomas Maltman Walker £2 by means of a false pretence. Accused had, according to the charge,represented himself to be a commercial traveller, engaged by a large timber firm in Sydney. He was also charged with being an idle and disorderly person, having insufficient lawful moans of support. Mr Hanlon appeared for the accused. After hearing the evidence of Mr Walker, who lent the accused £2, and i the police, and a statement by counsel, IMr Bartholomew said accused w ould be convicted.

On a charge of vagrancy, DctflctiVP Hammerly read a long statement by! accused, the gist of which was that; he owed money in various parts of the', Dominion, principally to hotels. Wit-| ness maintained that among accued’s papers were found documents showing! that since November last year be had in various parts of New Zealand incurred debts amounting to £l9B. Witness warned accused as to his position, hut he had made no attempt to help himself. He had stayed at different hotels in Dunedin —the Grand, Wain’s Crown, and City—under assumed names. The accounts had since been paid. This charge was dismissed. Keferring to the other charge, Detective Bishop stated that accused had been before the court in Auckland on March 31, for obtaining credit by fraud. Since then be had been travelling from Auckland right through the country without paying any of his debts. He had not .supported his wile since last year, and was what was known as a waster. Mr Hanlon: Accused denies that he has not supported his wife. Defective Bishop: Wo have had his wife interviewed, and she has not received a penny piece from him or heard from him. Ho does not care whether she is dead or alive. His Worship said that evidently accused had not profiled by his previous experience, and bad become confirmed in hi s methods of gaining a living by bis wits. He would be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.