CREDIT BY FRAUD

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23085, 30 July 1940, Page 12

CREDIT BY FRAUD

—-♦ YOUNG MAN ADMITTED TO PROBATION ILLEGAL COLLECTION FOR PATRIOTIC fund (PRESS ISSOCXiTXO* TELEGRAM.) NEW PLYMOUTH, July 29. Dictating. letters to his “secretary in the lounge of a New Plymouth hotel, where he obtained credit for board and lodging by to the value of £9 6s 9d, and dictating further letters in a hairdressing saloon while having a permanent wave m his hair, were some of the devices of Neil Oliver Moore, a youth of not quite 19 years, in an endeavour *o create an atmosphere about himself, his-munificence and wealth, as part of the process of publishing a booklet entitled “Our New Zealand,” the proceeds of which were to go to tne “Soldiers’ Benefit League. ’ m The typewriter used by the secretary” was obtained, together with some stationery, from a local firm on credit and the machine was sold the same day to a second-hand dealer for £2 10s. The scheme miscarried, and the result was the appearance of-the accused this morning on remand before Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M., on a senes of charges, on which he was admittedto probation for two years and three months, until he reaches the age of 21, and he was ordered to make restitution of £ls 5s 9d. . . The charges involved being idle ana disorderly, no lawful; means of support, stealing; a ■ typewriter, obtaining credit for board and lodging by fraud, unlawfully raising, money for patriotic purposes, and incurring other debts by fraud. Accused pleaded guilty to charges. The police said he engaged a young 1 girl:as secretary, and' also 4men to: canvass for advertise-, ments.His staff was obtained through: ihe placement officer. He stayed at the hotel under the name of van Ashe, and he bad been known in Palmerston