FALSE ORDERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 179, 30 July 1936, Page 17

FALSE ORDERS.

GAOL FOR LABOURER.

TYRE FIRM VICTIMISED.

arrest follows suspicion,

An unemployed labourer, James Bald--win, aged 41, who obtained four motor tyres, valued at £14 19/2, and attempted to obtain four more, worth £25 17/, by false pretences, was sent to prison by jlr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in tli© Police Court this morning. ' Baldwin, for whom Mr. A. Winter appeared, pleaded guilty to three charges. Senior-Detective Hall said that on julv 11a telephone message was received by a city tyre Arm purporting to cornx: from a carrying firm. An inquiry was made concerning motor tyres, and it was stated that a man would be sent to collect them. Later, Baldwin called on the firm and said lie had been sent for the tyres, and produced an order for them. This he signed "11. Jones." U.ree davs later the same thing occurred, accused signing a docket for two tyres valued at £10 18/ in the name of "H. Jones." On July 15 Baldwin called at another firm and represented that ho had been sent by the firm of J. Jones, Ltd., to pick up four motor tyres worth £25 17/- On that occasion lie said his name was "S. Smith," and he produced what was represented to be an order form for the tyres. The dealer became suspicious and told accused he would have to go to the warehouse to get tlio tvres. In the meantime the dealer made inquiries and found that the firm of J. Jones, Ltd., had not ordered any tyres or instructed any man to collect them. Baldwin went to the warehouse, where he was detained until the arrival of a According to Senior Detective Hall, Baldwin told tlie detective that he had met an unknown. man- in a hotel, who said he had.obtained four tyres, but did not say by what- method he obtained them. He alleged that he was trying to <ret the four tyres worth £25 17/ for this man. At the time of his arrest Baldwin was quite sober, although he showed sicms of having had liquor. He was a single man and on sustenance, and lie had some previous convictions. Mr. Winter admitted that Baldwin had been in serious trouble in the past, hut said the present charges were not nearly as serious, for he had merely attempted to get four tyres, llie "\alue of the tvres he did obtain was not great. "It seems probable that another man was connectod with these offences, as it would have been impossible for Baldwin to take delivery of such heavy tyres himself," said counsel. "Since his last serious breach in Wellington he has been employed in gold mines and on other work "in the country. He returned to Auckland in connection with a family matter and unfortunately fell into temptation when he was on sustenance." The magistrate pointed out that Baldwin could have been charged -with a much more serious offence —that of making a false document or forgery. "He has already served : a three years' sentence, and last year he was convicted for theft," said Mr. McKean. Baldwin was' sentenced, to three months' imprisonment on each charge, the magistrate directing that in two of tha charges the sentences should be cumulative.