FRAUD CHARGES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18918, 5 February 1927, Page 17

FRAUD CHARGES.

BIG SUMS INVOLVED. DISAPPOINTED INVESTORS. (rBESS ISSOCUTtO* TBLEOBAU.) DUNEDIN, February 4. In the Police Court this morning, George Thomas Swann, who bad been extradited from Australia, appeared to answer a number of charges of false pretences. Sixteen witnesses have been Bubpconted by the Crown. The charges were that on or about March 13th, 1924, with intent to defraud, he obtained from Margaret Gibson £IBO, by means of a falsß pretence, to wit, by falsely representing that he was supplying the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition Company with machinery, and obtaining from the sales of such ma-chinery-a profit, and that by investing tho said £IBO Margaret Gibson would participate in the profits coming from tho sale of siich machinery; that between December Cth, 1924, and March 7th, 1925, at Beaumont, with intent to defraud, he obtained from Mary A. Hall, sums of money totalling £630, by falsely representing that he was concerned in second-hand machinory in connexion with a bank, and that by investing £630 the said M. A. Hall would participate in tho profits; that on March 4th, and divers dates between that and October 4th, 1924, he obtained from John James divers sums totalling £1953, by representing that he was dealing in machinery; that on May 24th, and divers dates between that and August 25tb, 1924, ho obtained from Elma Alice Crawford, sums totalling £292, by representing that ho was dealing in machinery. «.,„«» Mr A, C. Hanlon and Mr G. T. Baylco appeared for the accused. Lengthy evidence was given by the investors concerned, after which police evidence was taken. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial to the Supreme Court. Bail was aUowed on accused s own recognisance of £SOO, and two securities of £250 each, conditional on his reporting daily to tho police.