"DETECTIVE RAINEY " CASE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14686, 7 June 1913, Page 4

"DETECTIVE RAINEY " CASE.

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TKUSCR.aU.)

DANNEVIRKE, June 6. Tho alleged bogus detective case was before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., today. Ernest Roland Birdling, who styled himself "Detccuvo Rainey," was charged with obtaining credit for £b\ tho fare of a motor-car, by false pretonces. Accused pleaded not guilty. The evidence showed- that accused represented himself as a detective who was tracking three men who were alleged to have obtained jewellery on approbation from Stewart, Dawson, Christchurch, for ladies' wear at the military ball there. They had failed to return the valuables, and were supposed to have made their way to tho coast districts. Accused hired a motor car to go after, them, but failed to pay for the hire. The accused also purchased a revolver, stating that he was going to make an arrest, and remarking, "You know what these bush fellows are. They are pretty rough." A ext morning tho revolver was returned to the shop where he bad ob- j tamed it. Tho accused when arrested attributed his exploit to a "spirit of adventure."

Counsel for accused said that he beto a very respectable family, and had good prospects. He was only -1 years of age. There was something wanting in his mental condition. •Nothing was known against him, and the whole matter was too trifling to com °iithim for trial. the Bench:—lt is not trifling. I have no option but to commit him for trial. Accused reserved his defence, and s as committed for trial, bail being allowed on his own recognisance of £50.