CURATE'S UNLUCKY DEAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 292, 8 December 1900, Page 5 (Supplement)

CURATE'S UNLUCKY DEAL.

"SPANISH TREASURE TRICK" AGAIN

The '-Spanish prisoner" trick, so well known in Europe, has been played upon a worthy old gentleman at Barbados. He is the richer by sad experience a.id the poorer by over _GOO. The victim, who is a retired newspaper proprietor of substantial means, received the usual letter from the sharper at Barcelona, stating that the writer was a political prisoner in Spain, and had -in his possession plans of a spot in the island of Barbados where a large amount of treasure was buried. These plans he was willing to dispose of for ±"(.00. The capitalist took counsel with a young clergyman of the Church of England, who In turn consulted his father. Subsequently the trio discussed the matter in the light of the many legends of buried gold in Barbados, and decided that it was a genuine thing. The next mail from Barbados to Europe carried the young cleric with a draft for £000 and £150 for expenses. In due time he reached Barcelona, found the holder of the precious plans, and received them in exchange for the £000. He was swiftly disillusioned. Once In possession of the money the confidence man turned on the unsophisticated minister, and he had to flee for his life. lie failed to get any redress from the Spanish police, and is now back in Barbados, and £000 of British money has gone to enrich the gambling hells of Barcelona.