AN IMPUDENT SWINDLER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 273, 17 November 1902, Page 7

AN IMPUDENT SWINDLER.

CALLS HIMSELF A LORD,

STAYS AT THE CLUB

SENT UP FOR THREE YEARS

A well-dressed man appeared before Mr. Justice Conolly at the Supreme Court this morning-, charged with attempting- to pass valueless cheques, one for £5 and another for £25. The accused had not the appearance of the average Court habiI tue, being possessed of a thoughtful cast of countenance, added to which he wore his hair long, which pointed to either an artistic temperament or a tendency towards the professional musician business. He was charged under tkd name of Percy Everard Douglas Whittall, alias Lord Northeslc, alias Zanda Isidore, with attempted false pretences. When called upon he said, "Being affected with an impediment in my speech, I am prevented from making' a verbal statement, but I should esteem it a graci--0113 act of condescension if Your Honor would kindly read this short written statement." His Honor, after reading the statement, said: "It shows that you are a very cunning person, with a. certain amount of "ngenuity, and a tendency towards bad courses. You say it is all through an incurable passion for drink. It appears you have been through sentences for four years, and that you always again commenced swindling immediately upon coming out of gaol. 'Whether the rest is true, about you being an artist, I do not know. If you have a tendency towards drink, I will put you where you cannot get into temptation for some time at least. You were only a few days out of gaol when you started s\vincHii?.{£ again. You are sentenced to three years' imprisonment." The story of this swindler is an example of what a presentable appearance and unlimited impudence will accomplish. Since 1899 he has been convicted eight times, of which six were for false pretences, one for breaking and entering at Wellington, and another for receiving stolen property. Fortunately, lie was under the watchful eyes of detectives shortly after his arrival in Auckland. He, however, manager to spend one night at the Northern Club very comfortably by impudently walking in and asking for a room. The next day he was at the Auckland Club, where he o.we a cheque for £5. Nest he wen", to the Metropolitan^ Hotel, where he gave a cheque for £25, and I ordered a bottle of champagne. JJeliffflli * ; 2: That cheque was not :; 1-S bit he got the champagne. M.£+' -vevt day he had disappeared, S? hwaf toSB to Northcote. He c-, sir. I]V picked up acquaintance with , the captain"of a ship who invited him to br&lria&t. Next he visited both, the No'rthcote and Takapuna hotels. While over at Takapuna a gentleman asked iilm for a match, and he go.t into conversation, which was a bad ■ thing for his fuhvre career, as his stuttering satisfied Detective Ken-! < npdy he had got the right man, and [ ( the pseudo-Lord Northesfe was ar- ; rested aricf marched oft to prison.

Mr J. H. was n&minated for the city to-day by Messrs D. Goldie, T. McMasters, 8. MeCoskrie, and W. B. Pagan.