SYSTEMATIC THEFTS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1059, 25 January 1883, Page 1

SYSTEMATIC THEFTS.

It appears from the following, published in the Southland Times, that systematic rascality and fraud are gaining l a footing even in this new land. It is well-known (says our contemporary) that the purchase of sewing machines, and other household requirements is frequently made by a system of hire with option of purchase ; the weekly rents going to the extinguishment of the cost. It is on this system that a gang of chevaliers &Industrie in Dunedin have been preying tor many months past. The modus operandi was remarkably simple, difficult-of detection and remunerative. Many of the hirers are people in straitened circumstances, or, worse still, not over honest, and fall behind in their payments. The rogues in question find such persons out, and driving to their doors, assume an air of authority— ‘ You have a sewing-ma-chine on hire from —and have not paid your instalments, and I have teen sent from the establishment to remove it.’ No resistance is made to this plausible demand ; the machine is removed, but not to the owner’s warehouse. It is taken elsewhere, and the numbers by which it can he identified obliterated and altered as far as possible and the article sold at a reduction on the market value. That the swindle has been successful wonkl appear from the fact that half a-dozen of the ma chines were sold around Wyndham by an agent, if is supposed, of the gang. The same plan was adopted to procure pianos from the hirers ; the identity of the instruments being cunningly destroyed by placing the name of anoth r maker over the original label. The matter has another aspect of hardship ; these articles are stolen, ami the owner, that is the hirer, can claim them whereever he finds them. This was done in the Wyndhara instances. Now these people bought the machines from & man (Dobbie) well-known in the trade, and having at the time a shop open at Wyndham. As they paid cash for the machines they lose about £7 each by the operations of the rascals, ft is seme satisfaction to know ti nt one of the g<V'g is now awaiting trial at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, whi e a war rant is out for 'he anest of the one who carried the litt'e game into Southland. Thoro would appear to be a suspicion

tit: in some i istaii es ilih machines

wei-e liireil by pnrt’es in leag ie -villi the

gang for the express ur.io>e of fraud

The circumstances detailed should cause householders to he careful as to whom

they deal with