PROMOTER IN COURT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 936, 1 April 1930, Page 7

PROMOTER IN COURT

ANTI-ROAD-HOG LEAGUE FRAUD CHARGE DISMISSED Following police inquiries into the j formation of the “Anti-Road-Hog League” in Auckland, the sole organiser and official, George Joseph Silver, , also known as John Silver, appeared ] before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.. in j the Magistrate's Court yesterday. He was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond in that he endeavoured to impose on persons by fraudulently representing that he was promoting an “Anti-Road-Hog League.” Silver, who pleaded not guilty, elected to be dealt with summarily. Pamphlets distributed by Silver announced that the objects of the league were to secure better legislation governing motor-car driving and to make the roads safer both for pedestrians and for those who drive motor vehicles. “The league also intends to give financial assistance to members wlto are injured in motor accidents,” wrote Silver to Mrs. I. Peel, of 19U Parnell Road, whom he engaged as a canvasser. The league was only in its infancy, he said, but a prominent medical man had been asked to become the president when officials were elected. In evidence, Mrs. Peel said she had written three letters to Silver in reply to a newspaper advertisement. She was given a number of pamphlets and a receipt book to take subscriptions to the league. She was to receive one shilling from every half-crown paid in, the remainder going to Silver. However, she found it impossible to enrol members. Two other canvassers confessed the same difficulty. Interviewed by Detective Nalder at his home at 64 Richmond Road, Ponsonby, Silver said he had had 1,000 pamphlets printed for distribution. He had been able to secure only three weeks’ work since January. He offered to cease his activities at once if the detective considered the scheme wrong. “I suggest there is no case to answer,” said Mr. Dickson, for Silver. “The objects of the league are in the interests of the public. All agree that road hogs are too numerous.” Mr. Dickson said the league was functioning in Australia and England, and Silver decided to form a similar organisation here. He had received no money at all in subscriptions. He submitted that there had. been no fraud or false statement, and that no one had suffered. “All the statements made by Silver are true,” he said. “Silver admits he is the only man behind the league.” “His intentions may have been perfectly good,” said Mr. McKean, “but if he wants to form v a league of this type in New Zealand he will have to go about it in a different way. There is not sufficient evidence of wrong intentions for me to convict.”