A KINEMATOGRAPH COMEDY

Evening Star, Issue 17928, 25 March 1922, Page 10

A KINEMATOGRAPH COMEDY

(To he continued.)

"QUITE OVER THE ODDS.”

REMARKABLE ESCAPADES OF WELLINGTON YOUNG MAN.

A most extraordinary series of happenings, in dofcnco of which, a new kind of “buying mania” was urged by Mr J. F. B. Stevenson, was narrated at the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, last _ week. Henry John Mercer was charged with obtaining from F, Yeats, furnisner, on March 3, furniture to tho value of £364 13s by means of a false pretence that ho had a seven years’ contract with the Vacuum Oil Company, and that lie was a married man. Chief-detective Kemp conducted the prosecution. Harloy Griffiths, accountant with the Vacuum Oil Company, stated that no contract of any kind was in existence between his firm and tho accused man. AT A LAND AGENT’S.

Verna Lionel Kerr, in the employ of a land agent,, said that the accused had come to the office on March 2, giving tho name of Willoughby, and saying that ho had a contract with tho Vacuum Oil Company for the cartage of bonzino from Wellington to Palmerston North, He wished to rent scree offices, and witness showed him romo until recently occupied by Mrs Cameron as a beauty parlor. After inspecting these, accused «aid that ho wished to buy a house. This had been in the morning. In the afternoon ha had returned with a girl whom he described as his wife. Visits to Kolburn and Lyall Bay to inspect houses had bean made, and accused had signed a contract of purchase of 69 Rosa street, in the latter suburb. One of tho conditions of the contract was vacant possession as soon as possible. A deposit of £SO was to be paid next morning. Accused arrived next day, and asked for a copy of the contract, saying that bo was going to take it to show to his solicitor, Mr W. Perry. To Mr Stevenson ; He could not have gained possession without putting aown £550. A FURNITURE DEAL,

Stanlcy Forrester, assistant, employed by F. Yeats, the furniture manufacturers, Cuba street, testified that accused had arrived at tho shop, accompanied by_ two ladies, on Friday, March 3. One of tic women witness had understood to fie Lis intended wife. Ho bought furniture to the value of £333. Later -ho was joined by a man. Accused said that his name was Willoughby, was hero from America, and bad a seven years’ contract with tho Vacuum Oil Company. Witness asked for a deposit, and was told to go to_ tho bouse" during the afternoon. He journeyed to Ivilbirnio, and waited at the house from 2.30 to 3.50, but accused had not appeared. On his arrival ho_ found that accused had been in to see him, ostensibly with a cheque, but had refused to have anything to do with tho manager. Accused returned at about 8 p.ra., and bought another £4l worth of furniture.

STILL ANOTHER “ VICTIM.”

Frederick William Newman, joiner, had been introduced to tho accused by a Miss Campbell, ho thought her name to be. Accused had offered him work at £6 per week. On March 4 they wont together to a house in Moxham avenue, llataitaj. Witness was to put tho furniture in this house and have it ready by the time Mercer returned from his honeymoon in Auckland. It was also arranged that witness should supervise tho loading of the lorries and tally the benzine under his “contract” with tho Vacuum Oil Company. To Mr Stevenson ; Accused had received no money from him. A SIX WEEKS’ COURTSHIP.

Violet Campbell had known the accused for about six weeks under the name of Harold Wiloughby, Sho had thought him to bp a lieutenant on some vessel. She eventually became engaged to him. She had visited various houses, and also Yeats’s shop in Cuba street, along with the accused. The house in Moxham avenue had been preferred by him. He had been prepared to lobo his £SO deposit on the dwelling in Pioss street. He had contracted with a man named Cameron at Moxham avenuA for the pmehsfie of the house* Mjtteh 3, tli«y; c&liea

at Lloyds’, jewellers, and selected an engagement ring. The ring had been too large, and left behind to he made smaller, As a matter of fact, she had not received it yet. Ho had given her what oho had taken to bo a cheque for £SO on the National Bank to buy her trousseau. As a matter of fact, it was merely an application for a draft. On the Saturday morning following she had awaited him by appointment at Stewart Dawson’s. Ho had not arrived, and she thought that ho might have been detained at the land agency where he had arranged the purchase of the Moxham avenue home. There she learned of his arrest and his correct name. On March 1 she had gone with him. to the Dominion Motor Vehicles’ Garage, and selected an Essex motor car. “NO INTENTION OF PAYING.” Constable Edward Tongue said he located the accused on Saturday morning, March 4, in the furniture department of 0. Smith's, and took him down to the police station. At the detective office Mercer admitted that ho had had no intention of purchasing any of the articles for which he had negotiated, nor did ho ha.vo any money to do c 3 o had he desired it. Mr Stevenson, for tho defence, submitted that there was no case to answer. There had been no intention in tho mind of the accused to profit by his actions. Also, there was no evidence that deception had been practised upon the people whom Mercer had visited. “QUITE OVER THE ODDS.” Tho Magistrate was of tho opinion that there was no evidence of criminal Intent. The conduct of accused, however, had been “ quite over the odds,” and he should he restrained in some way. There was in this case tho matter of a contract between tho parties ; but where there was a civil liability a civil remedy should bo followed. Ho doubted very much whether any jury would convict, but considered that tho accused should bo medically examined.

“If ho is not mentally deficient Iw must bo responsible for his actions, and for any similar act in future he must bo brought ftp and dealt/ with," said His Worship. I don’t propose to tend him up for trial."