KEEPING UP APPEARANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 276, 20 November 1926, Page 16

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES.

DECEPTION ON WIFE. PROSECUTION FOR FRAUD. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Friday. A remarkable story of how a man in financial difficulty sought to prevent his wife from learning the true state of affairs was revealed in the Police Court to-day, when Albert Edward Beadle was charged with obtaining from James Robertson £15 by false pretences, and with obtaining from Duncan Campbell McKenzie £10 by falsely representing that he had money in either the Invercargill Post Office Savings Bank or the Invercargill Savings Bank. Accused's solicitor said Beadle had become married about six months ago. At that time his prospects were bright. Not long after his return from the honeymoon he lost his position. "Then his male instinct to make the best appearance before a female caused him to commit the grievous error of not telling his wife of his misfortune," said counsel. "For months there followed a deception that must have been a terrific strain on the principal actor. As far as his wife knew he went to work as usual, and she received as before money for her household expenses. Unfortunately this money had been borrowed by Beadle, and when ordinary borrowing was no longer available he resorted to less honest means of obtaining money, with the result that he appeared in Court with two charges to face. The first intimation his wife had of things being amiss was notice of a meeting a creditors." Police evidence was given regarding accused obtaining £10 from McKenzie. which he had not paid back. He had got the loan by making a false statement that lie had money in the Post Office Savings Bank. The sum of £15 had been advanced on a motor car which accused had, but as nothing had been paid on the car, it was seized, and he had no right to obtain a loan on it. Counsel said accused did not drink, smoke, or gamble. His money had gone to household expenses. It was a great mistake of his not to disclose to his wife his true position. Detective Sergeant Carroll said accused had a clean record. The magistrate referred to accused's previous good character but stated he had done two very wrong acts, and he would be convicted on both charges. The rase was adjourned until Monday so that the magistrate could receive the probation officer's report.