“SLIM” TKICKS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LV, Issue 9515, 22 June 1927, Page 4

“SLIM” TKICKS

TRADESPEOPLE TAKEN DOWN. Several tradespeople iti Sydenham, Christchurch are beyfailing the fact tiiat they have recently parted with various sums in hard cash in return for valueless cheques. One instance which occurred, in the case of a grocer, was an exeptionaily clever form of trap. Two men entered the shop. One, who appeared to he a labouring type, went to one end of the counter and made a small purchase. The other was a welldressed stranger; he made some purchases at the far end of the counter, and tendered in payment a cheque for £5 ,on which was the signature, “Owen .Moore.” The assistant, who was not entitled to take cheques in such circumstanes, referred the cheque to the proprietor, mentioning the name of the alleged drawifc. The labouring man then entered into the affairs. ‘‘Owen Moore, did you say?” he remarked. “I wish I had ids money; 1 used to work for him.” That statement removed any doubts, and the cheque was cashed, substantial change being given; but as events have shown, the name of the alleged drawer of the cheque is not known at the bank. In another instance the man approached and chatted for half-an-hour with a shopkeeper. He said ho was short of cash, but had a cheque for £5 from his employer, “Owen Moore.” He asked if the storekeeper could advance £2 to enable him to go to the city; as security he would leave the cheque, and call back for the balance of the change. He .suggested that if the storekeeper doubted his. cheque he could ring up the man whose signature purported to be thereon. Tile storekeeper did not attempt to do this. There is no “Owen Moore” on the telephone list as it turns out, lull tie left to see if tic could verify the cheque elsewhere. The stranger waited for him, and wtiile tie was thus engaged chatted willi a policeman on the footpath. When the storekeeper returned he paid the stranger £2, although ho had been unable to verify the cheque. Ho is still waiting for the stranger to return, and lie has the cheque, on which (lie bank has inscribed “No account.” Neither he nor the police has been able to discover any “Ow en Moore ”