ALLEGED SEMES OF FRAUDS

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11571, 30 April 1903, Page 6

ALLEGED SEMES OF FRAUDS

Thomas Smalo (Mr Weston) was charged at tlie Police. Court yesterday with welling a. mixture of resin-and paraffin for beeswax, and by means of this false pretence obtaining £30 17s 6d irom Samuel Muthenvs, £17 12a , 8d from Edwin Haewell "Wood, and £20 Iβ 8d from Henry Francis Stevens. The last charge was taken first. Henry Francis Steven*, druggist, stated that on March 31st the accused came to ihim for payment for 4121 be of beeswax, which ho had soW to the firm. Witness jf&vc him ii cheque for £20 Is Bd. Subsequently lie found that the composition was a valueless fraud, and told the accused ho. The latter replied that he bad bought and wld by sample, and if witness were not satisfied he would see him again the next, morning, ufter communicating with Ms principals. Witness had not seen him since. Pnrfensor Bickerton, colonial analyst, etated that he had examined , a specimen of tho composition, and found that taere ■was no beeswax in it. Ho should sa.v that both the actual ingredients of the mixture ■wen; spoiled by mixing, and that the stuff wan of no market value whatever. Later on he analysed another mimple, and found it to consist, like the Inst, of resin and jiuruinn. George Cunningham, employee of Mr Ste-vens. stated that the accused came to Siim on March 27th, and asked if he would buy any beeswax. Witness looked at a sample of it which wae shiyvra to him, and arranged to purchase a quantity at Iβ « lb. The accused cam© again tn March 31st, and brought 4121b of tho alleged wax, which 'ho said came 'from the North Island. Detective Quirke deposed to arresting the *ccueed. From the tenor of telegrams found on him, Smalc appeared to have been doting on btihalf of one MnsoD, of Auckland. ■ Mr Weston mAmittcd that the alleged. Jwcswax had been bought by aample, aaid that the accused vma merely the toot of liis employer in Auckland. Thfc B?nch. consisting of Mee.«rs W. H. Cooper and John Barrett, J.P.'b, conxmitted tho accused for trial. Tlw two other charges vrere taken by Messrs W. IT. Harg reaves and W. Hayyrsad, J.T.'s. Tlio accused -was committed for 'irial on each.