FRAUD AT KUMARA

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 January 1929, Page 2

FRAUD AT KUMARA

YOUNG MAN CONVICTED.

Experiencing a. period of financial stringency while visiting Kumara recently, a young man, Patrick Hugh Devlin, conceived the scheme of telegraphing to one of his brother’s friends in his brother’s name, asking for £5. He got the money, but there were unpleasant consequences attached to it. Appearing before Mr Meldrum, S.M., at Greymouth to-day, Devlin was i charged that, at Kumara on January 4, he obtained £5 from William Thin, by falsely representing himself as James Devlin, with intent to defraud. Accused, who was not represented by counsel, pleaded guilty, and elected to be dealt with summarily. Detective H- C. March said that, on January 4, accused was at Kumara, and Thin was at Dobson. The latter received a telegram : “Send £5, urgent, as I want to get home.’’ Accused signed the telegram in the name of James Devlin, his brother, whom Thin knew very well. Accused had previously borrowed money from Thin, but the latter would not lend him any more. On the representation that it was James Devlin who required the £5, Thin sent a money-order telegram to Kumara for that amount, payable to James Devlin. Accused called at the Post Office, received the money, and signed his name as James Devlin. Thin saw James Devlin the next day, and mentioned the loan, but of course James Devlin knew nothing about it. Thin then lodged a complaint against accused. The latter worked with Thin at Paparoa three years ago. About seven months ago, the last time accused saw Thin, he borrowed some money from the latter, but had not repaid it. Accused admitted that he sent the telegram, and signed the name of James Devlin to the money-order. He stated that he did not sign his correct name because Thin knew him as Jim and also as Pat. Devlin. Thin, however, denied that- Accused was a single man, and was now employed cutting silver pine sleepers at Moonlight. He had no money, and had spent the £5. He stayed at Kumara for several days, and left owing 30/- board, although he had the £5 in his possession. He stayed two nights at a Greymouth hotel, and left an account of 16/ unpaid, although he still had portion of the £5 left. Nothing previously was known against him. Expenses amounting to 15/6 had been incurred in bringing him from Moonlight. “When can you make good the £s?’ asked the S.M.

“In a month’s time,’’ replied accused. Detective Murch explained that he would not receive payment for the sleepers cut for some time. The S.W. : Well, taking into consideration the fact that you have not been before the Court before, I will not inflict a, heavy penalty. You are convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within twelve months ; also to pay £5 and 15/6 expenses on or before February 28. Understand, you must pay that, and you are liable for punishment at any time within twelve months, if anything further is brought up against you.