A CONFIDENCE MAN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 November 1924, Page 12

A CONFIDENCE MAN.

VICTIM’S GENEROSITY. A striking case ot a confidence man having been recognised after years by one of bis victims has come under the notice of Inspectors Mankey and Leary, of Sydney. About two years ago a new arrival from England was approached by the trickster at Circular Quay, and (relates a Sydney paper) engaged for work on a supposed sheep station in Queensland. The confidence man posed as the owner of the station, and said he would accompany his “employee.” Later he borrowed £29 from him and disappeared, leaving the Englishman standing on the street. The case was reported to police headquarters, and Detectives Wickham and S. Thompson,, with others, were assigned to the case, which, owing to the disappearance of the “crook” and the departure of the victim, was eventually passed over. The Englishman made his way to Queensland, and in course of time joined the civil service of the northern State, being attached as a clerk to the police courts. The story now develops interest, for a few days ago the clerk was in his usual seat in court when a prisoner was ushered into the dock to answer a charge of false pretences. Looking towards the dock, the clerk recognised the man who had tricked him out of £29 in Sydney, but, as he afterwards explained bv letter to the C.I.D. at police headquarters, he did not f.o take further action, and said nothing while the case was proceeding. L»f«r be reminded the confidence man while in the cells of the incident, and ; n a good-natured way laughed over his false Sydney deal. *