ALLEGED FRAUD.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3320, 25 October 1919, Page 6

ALLEGED FRAUD.

3 4 A TAIHAPE FARMER. ’ ’

CITY DRAPERY FIRM. VI-‘CTII\II'SE‘D.

Thomas Steele Duncan, who appeared on remand, was charged -at the Magistl'ate’s Court, \Vcllington on Thursday, with receiving goods to the value of £lO7 on various dates, from Kircaldic and Stains, Ltd., by means of false opreitences. ‘Detective-Sergeant Lewis ’prosecuted, and Mr ‘S. W. Mellish appeared on the prisoner ’s behalf. George Edwin Matheson, accountant, employed by Kirkcaldie -and Stains, said he knew the ‘accused, who called on him and was introduced by an‘ assistant. The ‘accused wanted a suit of clothes, and when asked his name: said he us a farmer named “T. S.‘ Duncan,,:”" of Taihape.§ Accused wanted goods on credit, owing to the cows..T_:-sing dry. When asked by witness for a reference, the accused produced one signed by the Hon. W. H. Herries, who stated thét the bearer was a good t'urnlel'. He was given the goods, and stated he would ‘send down the goods by November. _ Mr I\lellish: You don’t deny that the‘ accused "has -at fal'l'li"lTear Taihape? Witness: No,

Mr Mellishz What was your reason for doubting his word'?——Well, I sent a. collect wire-to the address given, and a. reply was received to the effect that the address was not known. It was stated that the reference was referred to the Hon. W. H. lHerries, who stated that he did not seem to remember the name. “T. Duncan.” A SALESMANS EVIDENCE.

Vifilliam Robert Boyd, salesman at Kircaldie and Stains, deposed that he knew the accused -as ‘.‘T. Duncan,” of Taihape, when, on September Bth last, witness first saw him in the shop. The accused stated that he wanted some goods on credit. Witness, t.h‘?3n asked’ accused if he had an account, and he replied in the negative. He stated that his address was “T. Duncan, Taihape.” I Witness then took the accused round to Mr Matheson, theaceountant, telling him that Mr Duncan wished to open an account. A short time after the accountant brought accused back to him and told witness to let him have What he wanted. Mr Matheson did not 1 mention any items. Witness gold ac.-, cused two suits made to measure at £9 9/ each, :1 pair of extra trousers at £3 ‘ 3/, and ‘a pair -of stock riding brecchcs at £1 19/6. The accused was told to 1 call in about 14 days for the suits. and ! as he did not come back for the goods, ' witunesgiposted them to the address given, “T. Duncan, Tailfape.” ' The goods had vcnly gone about half an hour when accused came into the shop. He I said. he was sorry the goods had been i posted. as he wanted to know of they would fit him. He was told of the} address put. on the parcels, and asked by witness if it was suf‘ficient.: The accused replied: “Yes, I am well‘ known.’-’ On September 20th the accused again came into the shop, and witness sold him a dressing gown ffll 15/. Accused then said he wanted a Stetson-. hat, and witness passed him over to another department. The total amount of aceused’s~ account with witness 's department was £2B 15/G. * Witness was told by accused that he i had just come back from “where ‘Bill’ Massey came from” (meaning Ireland). Then accused wanted a pair of leggings’ to go ‘with the riding breeches, and witness took him to the boot department. on one occasion when he bought goods witness was with accusdd. V

‘Cross-examined by Mr Mellish, witness stated that he did not know that‘ any limit had been placed on the accused’s purchases. He was certain accuseddid not say he came from the King Country. Accused was absolutely sober on the first occasion when he came into Kirkcaldie and Stains’ shop, but on his second Visit he had I “one or two in.” A WAIKA'[‘O FARMER. Mr Cody, Cf the firm of Cody and Co., said the fceitsed Duncan came into his establishment, and representing‘ himself as a Waikato farmer, waiited to open an account. ‘He told witness .that he would not have any money until ‘the milk cheques came to hand. George Hart, supervisor of the parcels branch of the _G.P.O., Wellington, "and A. E. Rudman, a sorter, as well as several assistants from Kircaldie andl Stains, also gave evidence‘. ‘Sergeant Mzitthews, of Taihape, said 1 he did not know the accused, and during his fdur years at Taihape he had! not herwd of "‘T'noxnas Steele Duncan.” l Witness inquired from the old settlers, who did not have any knowledge of a farmer of that name. ' _ ‘— Detective-Sergean't Scott said that with Constable Burnett he ..;a... the "accused at Gladstone‘ House, Kent Terrace. Witness told accused; he was’ a *,idetecti¢'e; and wanted to l~:uo\-.j somejthing‘ ahout him. The accused was askfled» if he came from Taihnpe, and he ;ifi'cplicd,"“Fronl near there.” In reply ligto fiurther questions. he said that he rkilviadl lived at "Aria for five years, and Allis yvife j_aa«3 fa.mil§~' gt-111 ‘lived

‘:luls.‘_ SCln:- of me goods were recovered from the accused, and others from the Grand Hotel. The accused was then charged with obtaining goods to the value of £lO7 from Kircaldie and Stains by false pretences. Mr Mellish submitted that on the evidence heard the case should be dismissed 'sl? no jury would ‘convict on the facts placed before -the Court by the prosecution. His \Vorship said undoubtedly the accused had m‘a‘de a false statement. He was not prepared to dismiss the charge. The case that had beer; made out, however, wasgnot {L st?sllg ‘one: Aceused, who reserved his defence, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. B'ail was allowed in the sum of £IOO. V -