ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 15, 11 February 1909, Page 3

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES

! A WOMAN BEFORE THE " COURT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. In the Magistrate's Court to-day May Hallct, alias Curtain, alias Baker,.alias Bannerman, was charged with having on January 25 obtained the sum of £SO from Walter Clifford by means of false pretences by representing that she was the neiee of the late Sir Henry Canip-bell-Bannerman. lu the course of his evidence, Walter Clifford stated that accused accompanied his party to the Wellington races. Subsequently she called at the club and said that she was in great difficulties. Her father had just left enough money to pay her hotel bill and she had to pay the D.I.C. and some other firms' bills before she left for Christchurcb. She asked him to telegraph to Christchurch to ascertain her father's address. Witness replied: "Why trouble him? Can I assist you? Accused answered that if lie (Clifford) could lend her fifty pounds slio would send it back on the following day after she had seen, her father. Witness gave her £SO. In parting with the money he understood that accused was connected with a celebrated family in England. The licensee of the Grand Hotel stated that accused booked accommodation at his hotel in the name of Bannerman. In the course of conversation she said ehe hoped it would not come out that she was related to Sir Henry CampbcllBannerman, her reason being that she might attract too much notice. Accused was committed for trial.