A STYLISH ENGLISHMAN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 65, 7 September 1911, Page 3

A STYLISH ENGLISHMAN

HIS ESCAPADES AT AUCKLAND. GAOL FORMS THE LAST CHAPTER. Auckland, Monday. A stylishly-dressed young Englishman, who has been living in first-class hotels and boo-rding-houses in and about Auck-' land, and neglecting to pay for his board, has found himself in the Police Court, with the result that his board and lodging has been arranged for the next three 'Months—this time in Mount Eden gaol. Franc Peter-Carne, the man in question, was charged Hv it h being an idle and disorderly person, without sufficient means of support. In case lagainst Carne, Sub-Inspector Hendry stated that the man had set himself out to swindlo 'boarding-house keepers and hotel proprietors. The police had first heard of him in Hamilton, where he had left <a boardinghouse without, paying his bill. Then he came to Auckland, and put up at the Star Hotel, where he lived well, and frequently entertained his friends to meals. Apparently, however, he tired of the Star Hotel, and, without paying his bill, he removed to King's Court. Later he left King's Court for the Royal Hotel, where he assured the proprietor that, although he was short of money, he would pay his bill presently. Eventually the proprietor requested him to leave the hotel, and his room was locked, but Carne come to the hotel as usual that night, and got into the room which he had occupied by climbing up a fire escape. During his stay at the Royal Hotel, continued the sub-inspector, the. accused (knowing that he did not havu 6d in his possession) went, to Messrs Stewart Dawson and Co.. jewellers, and selected two Tings, valued at £ll. lie gave instructions to have them sent to the Royal Hotel, adding that lie would pay the amount if he decided to retain the rings. The rings were accordingly taken to the Royal Hotel bv a voung assistant, and (still stating that'he would pay next morning) accused persuaded the messenger to leave the rings. He subsequently re-visited Messrs Stewart Dawson s, and attemptiml to obtain more jewellery on account, but the firm would not comply with the request. Game then disappeared, and, having left (or, rather, being ordered to leave) the Royal Hotel, the firm did not receive the money for the rings.

Carne's next move was to the Grand Hotel. He arrived there late one evening, and, not seeing anyone about, he went upstairs, and took possession of one of the rooms. After breakfast next morning he hired the hotel motor-car, and, after a drive, returned to the hotel for'lunch, lie was then approached by the proprietor, but resented a demand for money, remarking: "Do you expect a man to carry money ahout'in his pockets to pay paltry debts like this?" After lunch he asked the proprietor to send for the motor-carl as he wished to take some ladies for a drive. Instead of sending for the motor-car. however, the proprietor sent for-the police, and the mail's career was t'hen brought to a close. After his arrest, the accused made the following statement to the police:—"l arrived at Wellington by the Tainui from England-, and came to Auckland about seven weeks ago. I have been staving at King's Court and the Royal here, and owe for board at both places. I have no money, though I have some luggage at Stratford. I went into the Grand Hotel about 11 p.m. one night. 1 saw no one, about the. hotel, and? after waiting for a few minutes, I proceeded upstairs, and went into a room there, and to bed. I. had breakfast, and, after that, saw the proprietor. lie eame to me. and asked mi- why I came and stavel in the hotel in that manner without notifying any person. \ had lunch, and, when the proprietor asked me for payment of the bed and two meals (12s), I did not pay him, as I have no money, and had no money when I went there, I onlv had what I stand up in." The remainder of his statement referred to his dealings with Stewart Dawson and Co.

The facts of the case, as outlined by the sub-inspector, were corroborated by several witnesses.

Accuse,! was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with hard labor.