WELLINGTON’S FRAUD

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 83, 16 April 1901, Page 2

WELLINGTON’S FRAUD

LISTER ADMITS HIS GUILT. A PLAUSIBLE EXCUSE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). Wellington, last night. The story of a bold fraud was told at tho Magistrate’s Court to-day, in tho caso brought against Charles Lister, charged with having obtained a cheque for .£23 from Frederick Fabian, by falso profences. [The circumstances wero detailed in yesterday’s Times.] Accused, who represented himself to bo the solo agent for a firm of New York agents, advertised for a book - keopor. Fabian replied to tho advertisement, and was told tho firm required £SO security before being engaged. Fabian agreed to pay £25 down, and gave a cheque for that amount, undertaking to pay tho balance in a week or two. An , agreement was then drawn up betweon the two. Tho accused thon attempted to purchaso a bicycle with tho cheque, but failed in tho negotiations, and was soon aftorwards interviewed by a dotcctivc. Ho subsequently admitted that ho was not connected with tho firm he had represented himself as agent far, and that his dealings with Fabian wero fraudulent.

In Court accused pleaded guilty to receiving money by false pretences, but with no intention to defraud, lie explained this qualified admission by stating that ho had adopted his methods in expectation of recoiling money from his father at Homo. He intended to drop tho name of tho firm when ho received funds, and continue in tho sa- ac business himself. He was committed to the Supremo Court for sentence.