THE CLOCK STRUCK.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 107, 9 May 1927, Page 11

THE CLOCK STRUCK.

HOT THE TIME OF DAY.

BUT THREE MONTHS INSTEAD.

MAN'S FALSE PRETENCES.

"Utility."

The meaning of this word, according to Webster's dictionary is given as •'quality, or the state of being useful."

George Warren (42) found at the Police Court this morning that his "utility" clock was anything but useful to him.

Warren pleaded guilty to six charges of having obtained a total sum of £8 13/ from various people by falsely representing that he was placing a. "utility clock" in the vestibule of the Capitol Theatre, Dominion Road, agreeing to have business advertisements placed thereon.

"This man, early in January set out collecting advertisements for a clock, which he said would be erected in a theatre vestibule," said Chief Detective Cummings in stating the facts of the case. "He had no authority to get the advertisements and no authority to collect money. At Wellington Warren was placed on probation for two years for false pretences, then he came to Te Aroha and was sentenced to one month's imprisonment for breach of probation. Going to Hamilton, early in 1925 he was convicted and discharged for being found illegally on premises, while at the same place he later got nine months' gaol for forgery and uttering. Coming on to Auckland afterwards he got a further aix months' imprisonment for false pretences. And here he is again," added Mr. Cummings. The clock struck, not the hour, but the number of months which Warren is to serve in gaol as punishment. These, Mr. Hunt assessed at three. On the remaining five charges, accused was convicted and discharged.