EASY MONEY.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 63, 14 March 1924, Page 7

EASY MONEY.

MOTHS AND BORER. AN INGENIOUS RUSE. The ingenuity displayed at times by persons in an endeavour to secure even a small particle of the world's currency is astonishing, but the most ingenious methods are invariably credited to persons with a tendency to dishonesty, and the remark has often been made by Supreme Court judges in sentencing criminals that if certain of them had displayed the same ingenuity in the pursuit of an honest calling they would probably have become successful business men and highly-respected citizens. There seems to be a peculiarly developed trait in certain people which causes them to act as though cleverness, though it be surrounded by dishonesty, is preferable to straight going, despite the dangers attending. Some of the ruses adopted may almost be described as bravery itself because a man engaged in a calling which would not stand a test must at all times be prepared for eventualities which are liable to drop along at any moment. The public have been warned frequently of what might be described as the "false-pretencer" and it would appear that the time is opportune to repeat the. warning in order that people, and housewives in particular, may be alert to the wiles of certain individuals who arc at present operating in the Dominion. In this instance it is alleged that a. house-to-house canvass is made by a person who intimates that his calling is that of a piano-tuner and very often the owner of a piano thinks that an inspection and overhauling of the. instrument would do no harm. Once that thought enters the mind the trouble begins because with ; the stepping inside of the piano-tuner a householder has incurred expense. The front of the piano is immediately j whipped off, the instrument is opened up in every possible manner and a careful and" almost microscopic inspec- j tion begins. The housewife stands by for a time and perhaps leaves the room for a moment or two. It is then that : the ingenuity of the caller is displayed. Without hesitation a small instrument , resembling a bootmaker's awl is pro- ; duced. and with the sharp steel point ; two tiny holes are made on the inside of the piano. But that is not all. A small tin containing live moths is also brought into service, and in a second a couple of the moths are Hying about, also inside the piano. The lady is then called to the room and is much concerned to be shown the moths, and the two small holes where the borer has just started his disastrous work! One can just imagine the feelings of the lady when she. can see for herself the evidence of the borer in her "baby grand." and to sell her a preparation which will destroy the moths and dreaded borer is the easiest part of the whole business. It may cost 10/, or a couple of pounds, but that is a secondary consideration, so long as the evil is remedied. . This is a method of earning a living alleged to be carried on to-day and a timclv warning is given to the public and 'housewives in particular. If a piano requires tuning only a representative of a well-known and established | drm should be engaged. I