TRICKING A TRADESMAN

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2017, 26 March 1914, Page 4

TRICKING A TRADESMAN

"Y'OU ARE A THIEF I" (KT 3telMfrapK-r'l>rGM: .Association'.! Auckland, March 25. "This man _ went to Wingatc and Co.'s, and said that ho had an. account with the firm, which induced them to givo him Household goods on credit to the value of £11 B.s. Gd.," explained C'hiof-Dctcetivc M'Mahoh at. tli'e i'clico Court this morning respecting ■tho offence of Charles Watson, who pleaded guilty to obtaining goods to the Value of .£ll Bs, (3d. bv false pretences. The Chief Detcctiye, aiidcd that a slnt.ilar elia.rgo respecting goods to the value of £0 195., obtainod from Jolin Burns and Co., would bo withdrawn. . "'Tliero aro degrees in such offences,'' remarked Mr. Fra/.er, S.jL "Sometimes a falsi? niinio is given," ■ "'H.o gavo the name which he usually travels underv" replied the Chief Detective. .. Accused said that he had been getting goods -fij.r three months loforo the firm demanded payment, Tlien, wliim lie could not par at onco, they said, , "Youto cfc thief; we'llprosecute yon.' In tho first place lid considered that tho firm had sent tho goods on their own initiative, mid responsibility. ... '■ His Wor.sliip; If you get goods by saying that you had an. account when you did :not jiavo an account, with tho firm, you got thorn by Jalso. pretences. . Ghiof-Dctectivo M;'Mahon stated that accused had been convicted ill 1911 for false pretences. ■- His Worship tliereunoli, sentenced Watson, to two months' hard labour.