AROUND THE TOWN

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 111, 11 May 1921, Page 6

AROUND THE TOWN

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES

STRANGE BEHAVIOUR IN COURT.

■ Six charges of obtaining- articles and money, from, various shops in. Wellington during the latter part of April were pre- • ' ferred against a man named Harold Bruce Anderson in the Magistrate's Court today, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. While in the dock Anderson, bore all the,appearances of a man suffering, severely from the effects of St. Vitus's dance, but Chief Detective 'Ward said that. accused "was " merely acting." Chief Detective Ward appeared for tho police, arid Mr. J. Scott for the accused. Tho charges were:—(l) That on 27th April, at Wellington, he did obtain from G. and T. Young-, jewellers, o-oods valued at £55 by means of a false pretence, tho use of a valueless chequo drawn on tho National Bank, Wellington; (2) that on 23rd April, at Wellington, ho did obtain from E. C. Browne and Co., Ltd., outfitors, good valued at £5 16s 6d by falsely representing that >he was Dr. Anderson, and that he was a cousin of Dr. Anderson, of Wanganui; (3) that on 26th April ho did obtain from tho same firm : goods to the value of £4 7s 6d by a similar false pretence; (4) that on 28th April he did attempt to obtain v from tho same firm a dinner suit valued^at £13 18s by tho same false pretence; (5) that.on 28th April ho did obtain from George and George, drapers, Newtown, a fur coat valued at £12 by means of a valueless, oheque drawn on the National Bank: of New Zealand; (6) that on 29th April he did obtain from William Henry Coy, Newtown, tho sum of £5 by a valueless cheque drawn on the National Bank of New Zealand. \ MONEY IN AUSTRALIA. Raymond Ernest Bennell, accountant at the To Aro branch of. tho National Bojik of New Zealand, said he remembered accused calling on the bank on 28th April. Accused' gave tho name of Hillyer, and said he came from New South Wales, where he had some money in the bank. Tho purpose of his visit was to find out tho best way of transferring his account. He told witness, that he was "buying into" some iron foundry in Wellington. Accused had no account in witness's branch.

William Matheson Nairn, a clerk employed at the same bank, said accused told him that he had seen, the accountant about getting some money from Australia. ' Accused said that he had arranged to open an account, and asked witness for a cheque-book, which was supplied. As accused had no account at the bank, any cheques issued would- be valueless. AN ENGAGEMENT RING. Thomas Gray Young, a partner in tho firm of G. and T. Young, jewellers, Wellington said ho knew the accused, who he saw for the first time- on 27th April last in the firm's shop. Accused said he was Dr. Anderson, of Wanganui, and said ho wanted to purchase an engagement ring not to cost more than £30. In addition, he wanted to purchase a wedding ring, a bracelet watch, and a, brooch, which ho wanted by 5 o'clock tho,. following day. The firm bad not been 'paid for the articles. To Mr. Scott: He believed accused's statement that he was .Dr. Anderson. Rita Crane, a shop assistant employed by the last witness, said sho handed over tho articles mentioned to the accused, with tho exception of two'brooches, which she posted to Lyall Bay. Accused paid for tho artiolas by a cheque, which had not been honoured. To Mr. Scott: Witness thought at was strange that the cheque should be drawn on a Wellington bank. ' DINNER SUIT AND FUR COAT. Bernard Zucker, a salesman in the employ of E. C. Browne and Co., Ltd., said aocused called at the 6hop on tiie- morning of 23rd April, introducing himself as Dr. Anderson, and eaying that he was cousin of Dr. Anderson, of Wanganui, .with whom he was goins to commence business. He purchased several articles, including a dinner suit, * which cost £18 Bs, and he said he would pay by cheque for tho whole amount later on. The value of the' articles actually supplied was . £10 4s, but this amount had riot been paid., Alfred Edward Stono said he managed the Newtown branch of Messre. George and George's drapery storo. Accused came to the shop and decided to purchase a. fur coat, the price of whioli was £12 12s. Accused said he was Dr. Anderson, and that Dr. Anderson, of Willis-street, iva his cousin.. Accused paid for the coat by mains of a cheque, which had been dishonoured.

To Mr. Scott: He did not make inquiries about Dr. Anderson.1 Tho word "doctor" in front of a man's name had no magic for him.

genggiar-nrrear " A CHEMIST'S STORY. William Henry Coy, a chomist, in business at Newtown, said that two occasions prior to 28th April accused had called for photographic material, for which he had paid cash. Accused said he was a traveller for Sargood, Son, and Ewen, and was •"put off" for two days each week on account of slackness of trade. On 29th April he called at tho shop and gave an order for material valued at £2 14s. Before accused left the shop accused made out a cheque for £7 14s, and witness handed him £5 in cash. Accused then used the telephone and appeared to be ringing up a bank, and asking if a draft had arrived. Accused remarked to witness: "I don't wish to be overdrawn."

Detective James Torranco said that he saw the accused in Courtenay-place. Ho was smartly dressed, and quite normal. Accused told witness that his namo was Anderson, but he was not related .to Dr. Anderson, of Wanganui. Ho was called "doctor" as a nickname. He said ho had just arrived from Sydney, and had plonty o money/ having arranged to transfer his account. Witness took accused to ihe detective office, where he apparently became hysterical, and would give_ no information at all. The same evening witness recovered some of the articles.

Accused pleaded guilty and was cony mitted for sentence.