CONFIDENCE MAN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 May 1928, Page 3

CONFIDENCE MAN.

TAXI RTDK TO WANGANUI

HOUSE BOUGHT AND FURNISHED

Tilt; story of Jiow John Edward Weldon, alias H. A. Durant, a middleaged confidence man, traded oil the credibility of unsuspecting businessmen of Wanganui was related in court at- Wanganui the other day. He first engaged a taxi proprietor named Richard Kendrick, of New Plymouth, to drive -him to’Wanganui. On the wav down he called at several dairy factories, leading the taxi proprietor to believe that he was van inspector of machinery and that a. Wanganui taxi would drive- him home to Marton, where lie -stayed the night, returning to Wanganui next morning. He asked the taxi driver to meet him in the afternoon, hut did not keep his appointment to pay an account of £ls. On May 7 he interviewed Thomas Gillman, land agent, and signed up for the purchase of a seven-roomed house on St. John’s Hill, intimating that he would pay cash and was a West Coaster with a banking account at Westport. He then interviewed Leonard G. Travers of Pursers, Ltd., took him t-o the bouse and, after minute l inspection and most careful negotiations, arranged for the purchase of £437 worthof furniture. lie also arranged, by introduction from Pursers, with Gilbertson, a. carpenter, to make about £l6O worth of alterations to the house and for Tingeys, Ltd., to thoroughly renovate the interior. The ■workmen of both the latter firms started' work. He also went joy-riding in the taxi of Harry Dim-stall, running up an account for- £2 15s, and borrowed a “fiver” from one.of the business firms with whom he had lieon negotiating. With this he shouted for sundry heads of firms, who thought that they had no excellent client. He- f-old them Hint Ihe all era l ions were being specially made for his daughter, who was mi Hie Wesf Const, and that he wan let! her to ha-ve the best, as she deserved it. Tie also promised- a house warming in typical West Coast style when the, home was ready for occupai ion.

A disconcerting reply to a- telegram l to the Bank of New South Wales at Westport-, -showing that he had no funds, naused the bird to fly from the river city, and be was subsequently arrested at Wellington. He pleaded guilty to three charges of attempting to obtain credit by fraud, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.