FARMER FOOLED

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1933, Page 6

FARMER FOOLED

l WITH CONFIDENCE TRICK.

LOSES OVER £500;

AUCKLAND, March 8. /, The finding .of a . wallet under the table of' a*,restaurant -in Queen street, afid the returning of .it to the owner were the • first steps taken by a retired farmer, living in Auckland, in negotiations in which he: paid more than £SOO. To-day the police are seeking::an explanation,Aroni' tWo'-men with Whom the. farmer, alleges he had- dealing, v The, story told by the farmer .is ’ that; he was accosted.' in ' the street byia maH: They talked about Canada and the impression the 1 farmer gained was,, that his lie# acquaintance , was from that, country.

tv An appointment was made to meet 'the next day; and while they were sittings im a restaurant in' Queen • street, ilie farmer’s acquaintance stooped and picked* lip a- wallet Which was lying on the floor. The;/’Wallet Contained numerous papers, 'Atith the name "of a man, and' gave- his ' address at "an hotel. Both the farmer and. his acquaintance decided the wallet, and they went toi'the hotel. TlifW tliey met the oWrier .off the wallet, Who was prof use in his thanks for the return of the wallet. In conversation lie told the farmer and his-'acquaintance that he had come from.’Australia and was acting for an Australian turf syndicate. After much talk;' it was'.agreed! that the owner of the wallet should back a. horse to win Ifil6\oo6. The name of .the horse was & be known, only to him , Later the farmer; was ’informed that the . horse Trad won, and that the sum of. £IO,OOO !irfas to be collected- , the wintiiiigs could'-':he- collected; however, the •two men told the farmer that all three Would have to find security for the :Wney betted The farmer alleges that paid over' about £SOO to one or 'the : men,- who promised to meet him again later/ The' farmer Ways he has not seen either man since.