IMPOSED ON CHARITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 102, 2 May 1931, Page 15

IMPOSED ON CHARITY.

BOGUS EARTHQUAKE REFUGEE. GUEST IX PRIVATE HOME. GIVEN ONE MORE CHANCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association-) WELLINGTON, Friday. In the Police Court to-day William Victor Guildford Hargreaves, labourer, aged 20 years, pleaded guilty to a charge of being a rogue and vagabond, in that he made false representations imposing on the Red Cross Society and other persons at the time of the earthquake disaster. Sub-Inspector Ward said accused had gone to Napiar by motor car soon after the earthquake. He had assumed another name and had worked at the morgue for a while. He then posed as a refugee, and was given a pass to come to Wellington. He got out of the train at Palmerston North, and, again posing a3 a refugee, was given a pass there. Coming on to Wellington, he imposed on the Red Cross Society and was sent in all good faith to a man in Hataitai, on whom he imposed for six'days. He obtained clothing from this man. The probation officer said accused's conduct had been satisfactory during the time he was on probation in 1928. "This young man is only 20 years of age," said Mr. E. Page, S.M., in imposing sentence. "I will give him one more chance. He will be admitted to .probation for a period of 12 months." Accused was ordered to repay the sum of 30/ to the Red Cross Society.