IMPUDENT FRAUD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15594, 28 April 1914, Page 10

IMPUDENT FRAUD.

BIG PROFIT ON SOAP.

A fraud, which was as despicable as it was ingenious, was brought to light by Constable Connell, of Clinton (Otago) recently. The officer had his suspicions aroused as to the methods of a young man, a visitor to the district, employed to earn a living, and, watching him closely, the constable caught him redhanded.

. According to the story unfolded by the constable next morning in the local court house, the young man, Ernest Frederick Lehondorf has been engaged for some time in exploiting the gullibility of the public. His scheme was to purchase for lid a bar of common soap, and cut it into very small pieces.' These were wrapped in pieces of yellow paper, _ which bore the printed legend, " guaranteed to remove grease spots, tar, paint, etc," : after a ■ high-sounding title. Each piece was then placed in a box and retailed at 6d from door to door by the enterprising " manufacturer." Tho piece of soap contained in a sixpenny box was, weighed, and it was found that-one bar of soap of about 31b weight yielded patent spot-remover to the value of £5 12s, Several thousands of labels and boxes were found in the possession of the young man, who, it was stated, had driven a lucrative trade in Canterbury and the North Island. It was also ascertained by the constable that Lehondorf was wanted by several hotel proprietors whom lie had left lamenting the non-payment of accounts for board and lodging. Lehondorf was sentenced to three.months' imprisonment for having no lawful means of support. ■