FALSE PRETENCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 9, 11 January 1934, Page 3

FALSE PRETENCES.

YOUNG AXEMAN CONVICTED. HANDICAPPERS DECEIVED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) PUKEKOHE, Wednesday. At the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court to-day before Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., William Bolas Rhodes was charged with obtaining £22 and an axe valued at 25/ from the Franklin A. and P. Association by false pretences, and also with making a false declaration. Hugh Evei'ison Kissling, secretary of the association, stated that accused en tered for some chopping competitions at the society's sports meeting last year under the name of William Keith Rhodes, and declared that lie had no previous performances. As a result, the handica.ppers were deceived, and accused won the 12in and the 14in chop. The other competitors entered a protest. Accused swore before Mr. D. K. Hamilton, J.P., that his true name was William Keitli Rhodes and as a result the protest was dismissed and accused was handed the £22 and the trophy axe. Sergeant J. I. Cowan stated that accused had applied to join the police. While full details were being gathered regarding the record and character of accused, the present ease had been brought to light. As a result an excellent record and all chances of joining the police force were ruined. Accused pleaded guilty, admitting that he had done a very foolish thing. Rhodes was convicted and placed on probation for a period of two years and ordered to make full restitution to the amount of £23 5/. The probation officer was ordered to debar the accused from any further sports for a period of two years.