TAXI-DRIVER IMPOSED ON.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1917, Page 2

TAXI-DRIVER IMPOSED ON.

' A FRAUDULENT " FARE." A sequel to the unwelcome disappearance of a "tare" from a local tnxidriver's car at ipungarehu on December "28 had its sequel in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when a middle-aged man named Frederick Buttcrworth, a slaughterman, of Gisborne, pleaded guilty before Messrs J. S. S. Medley and If. R. Cattley, J.P.'s, to a charge of obtaining credit to the extent of .£5 from George Henry Olds by means of fraud.

The facts, as narrated by Senior-Ser-geant Bowden, were that' Butteruorth approached Olds, a taxi-driver, and represented ♦ ''a'- he was the agent of a business ft. at Wellington. He wanted to he driven to Opunake and hack, and Olds undertook to do the work. On arriving' at Ptingai'eliu, accused left the oar, stating that lie would return in a few minutes. Olds waited for an hour, but could find no trace of accused. The latter was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the incident. Accused liad been previously concerned in thefts and had served seven days at Petune. The Sergeant added that accused had served in the South African war, and had volunteered in connection with tin.' present war. but had been discharged after spending some time in camp.

Accused explained that lie had been anxious for some time past to visit some friends at Puiigareliu. fie hail .no money, and, realising his position, he decided to impose on Olds. Tie had intended to go by coach, out feifc that he might as well be lnmg for a sheep as for a lamb, and make the trip in luxury. He was very sorry for what he had done, and was prepared to make good the driver's loss. Accused was convicted and sentenced to W days' imprisonment with hard labor. ,