THE CONFIDENCE THICK AGAIN

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 249, 17 October 1908, Page 15

THE CONFIDENCE THICK AGAIN

A CREDULOUS .COLONIAL. LONDON. September 4. "The Australian gentleman can go back to Australia and report himself to a lunatic asylum. He is more lit to be in an asylum than in London." Thus spoke Alderman Sir Horatio- Davies at the Mansion House Police Court last "Wednesday at the conclusion of the trial of an elderly rogue named Simpson, charged with being concerned with another man (not in custody) in stealing from Thomas Brown, in the yard of the Bank ol England, £110 in Bank of England notes, by means of the confidence trick. The Alderman's words were harsh, but truly the prosecutor in the case, an elderly New South Welshman, whose appearance denoted his connection with the soil, had proved himself a veritable "Farmer Hayseed." The wiles of the confidence trickster had, of course, overcome many a man with a reputation for shrewdness, but Thomas Brown was duped by means of one of the oldest, commonest, and most often exposed tricks of the confidence trickster's repertoire. On Monday Brown had just come out of. the Austrailan Joint Stock Bank, King Wil-liam-street, when a man asked him the way, to the Orient Company's shipping office. "Are yon going to Australia?" inquired Brown. "Yes," was the answer, "So am I," observed Brown, "I'm leaving on Friday." "Then I'll try to get a berth on the same boat," remarked the man. In this way they got into conversation, and became quite or) friendly ..terms On Tuesday morning the man called at the prosecutor's lodgings, and subsequently paid for drinks at an hotel. While they, were drinking Simpson came up to them and . inquired for the Zoological Gardens. The other man said they were Australians and did not know; they were going back on Friday. . Thereupon the prisoner said he was very pleased to meet. twp,. Australians, and promptly asked them to "have a wet" with him. He then unfolded the old, old tale. Simpson said his uncle had died in Australia, and left £180.000 to his father, and the latter having died, the money fell to him.. Under the,will there was about £10,000 to be distributed to the poor of Australia, and as he was going to Rome foe two years, he could not attend to the matter—would the two Australian gentlemen do it for him? Brown said he had no desire to do so, but, eventually, Simpson having stated that he would give him and his new friend £100 each for their trouble, agreed to assist in the distribution of the £10,000 to Australia's poor. "Of course, I shall want you to show mc some security," observed Simpson, and thereupon the "friend" departed for his bank and came back with what he represented to be a bundle of bank-notes to the value of £230. While the "friend" was away Simpson . asked Brown to write out a document to show that the prisoner had handed the money over to him. Brown pointed out that he had only £25 on him, but that he had a draft for £90. Simpson said he did not understand drafts; he would rather see notes. ■Subsequently Brown and his "friend" went to the City, and cashed the draft for £90 in £5 notes. He had £20 in gold, and his friend, who was outside, suggested thai he should change this into Bank' of England notes. This was done, and the "friend" took possession of the whole jEHO worth ol notes. They went to an hotel in Oxford Circus, and, after "having a drink," the friend observed, "Ton stop here. I have a lot more money in the bank—the more money we can she-w the more confidence lie will hare in us." So the friend departed, but aa he failed to return for a long time. Brown became uneasy, and finally himself to the police station and unfolded his tale. The police, of course, speedily enlightened the Australian as to the character of his two acquaintances. Then Brown proceeded to hunt for the "friend", and in Tottenham Court-road, ran across Simpson, whom he promptly collared. Simpson tried to get away, but Brown got him firmly by the neck, brought him down, and held him there till a policeman came upon the scene and took charge of the swindler. Simpson pleaded guilty, and would havi been sent for trial had not prosecutor fle» sired to depart for Australia to-day. That being the case, Alderman Davies gave Simpson six months' hard labour, and order, ed £25 in Bank of England notes found on the prisoner, and admitted by him to be part of the proceeds of the theft, to b« given to ,the prosecutor, whose adventure the magistrate described as the "most foolish thing I ever heard of."