CONFIDENCE TRICK

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1932, Page 8

CONFIDENCE TRICK

YOR KSHI REMAN ROBBED. PASSENGER FROM NEW ZEALAND Flow a passenger from New Zealand to England was robbed 111 Australia by a “confidence” man is told in a letter received from a resident of Wellington who is at present en route to England. The Wellington resident and the man who was robbed left Wellington together on tile Maunganui, and connected with the Mongolia at Sydney for London. The victim of the swindle comes from Yorkshire, and for the past five years had been working in Central Otago. When he went on board the Mongolia a man of middle age, well dressed, and with a most pleasant manner, engaged in conversation with him. telling him that his wife and daughters were coming on board that afternoon. At the same time be made a number of inquiries about the Yorkshiremau’s movements. The day before the Mongolia left Sydney the Yorkshireman went ashore, and on the wharf he me> tile “confidence” man. who walked up town with him. The conversation turned on the exchange of money. and the “confidence” man said lie was on Ill's way to meet a friend, who. through shipping dealings, could give Ivin British notes free of exchange. The Yorkshireman was asked if he would care to have his notes changed at the same time. He was taken into a city block of offices, and on the stairs the two men met a man without a coat who was introduced ns the person who eoukl change tile notes. The “confidence” man handed over his money, and asked the Yorkshireman for his The man with the money said said ho would need a duty stamp, and while the man who made the passenger’s acquaintance went downstairs for it. the other man went upstairs to get tlm British notes. When the Yorkshireman realised what had happened the men had disappeared, and with them most or his money.

to exactly the same extent. Of greater interest is a further slight improvement in the ratio of free to fixed deposits, which now stands 47.89 per cent, as com pared with 46.59 n°r cent for the previous month, and 56.08 per cent tweleve months ago. Advances declined by 1.8 per cent Iroin November and 7.9 per cent tram- December. 1930. The- ratio of advances to deposits moved downwards in sympathy with tbo restoration’ of a favourable trade balance and the proportion ot “i 7 8 per cent compares more than favourably with the ratios of 98.2.-) per cent and 102.32 pc')' cent tor ecu', lor November, 1931. and December, 19.50. respectively.