FALSE PRETENCES

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 50, 27 August 1924, Page 5

FALSE PRETENCES

"FOR WIFE AND WORKMEN"

ELDEBLY MAN COMJMITTED FOR SENTENCE. ,

The manner in .which'an elderly man obtained various articles of jewellery and clothing was related in the Magistrate's Court to-day, xbefore Mr. E. Page, S.M., when John Lennox appeared to answer three charges of false pretences. ; . Thomas Hall Coltman, a jaweller in! business in Cuba street, Wellington,, said about 11 g.m. on the 26th June, accused called at his shop and1 stated that his name was M'Donald, and that he was a builder in business. in-. Wellington. Lennox stated that lie wanted to buy a cheap ■ watch for one of his workmen.-;' Witness showed [him a metal watch and chain, valued at £1, and accused said "that would do nicely." Later in the" day) Lennox called again, and / selected a watch worth £3 lOs for,another of his workmen. On the 27th June accused sel-i ected another watch, and said that he: w,ould pay for them out'of the men's wages at the end 'of the week. The following Saturday he again called at the shop, and rehiarking that it was "his old ■woman's birthday," 'selected a granny chain for £6:10s. Witness said he parted w.itk his property when accused told him his name was M'Donald, and he was a builder with his place btbusiness situated in Taranaki. street' When interrogated by witness, accused had replied: "Don't you know me; M'Donald, the builder?". . ' • ■

Lewis Brady,. managing1 "director for Lindsay's, said accused came to his shop on the 14th May, ' and asked to., bo measured for a pair of. boots'. _ He gave his correct name, land said he was foreman of public works at Akotea-. He also asked, to be supplied / \Vith a . pair of lady's shoes for his wife. The.next day he called and asked for' a- "few pairs on approval," to be taken' to his wife at the New Zealander Hotel.. That was the last witness, saw, of accused. Witness said he parted with the goods, when accused said he was a Public servant. ' The total value of the shoes supplied was £i 3 2s.- >. •■ \ 1 William Alfred Brown, manager,' of the.Hatbox -Mercery1 Co. s ' Wellington, \ jaid on the afternoon, of the -20th Majfc accused called at' his shop' and said his 'name- was.'.E.-^GrM'Dohald-, or'Ma'rtinborough,1 where he employed a number oi.naii. In consequence ,of his representations, witness supplied.him with a raincoat, valued at £4, and a hat valued, at £2 15s.' -Accused returned the

following day, and offered to pay f6r the goods- by He filled in a> cheque, for £46, but when questioned by witness tore i't^jn half and threw it on the floor. He then s picked lip a bag I worth £1 15s, remarking that he would, "go. and get the cash and'brfcg it /back in the bag." . That was the last wit-

ness saw of him. The goods accused received' were worth.; £8 10s. ■

Detectives . Kaho and M'Lcllan gave evidence of having, recovered portion of the missing- property. .Accused, who was represented by Mr. R. Scott, pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. .'''■■'■ ...