FRAUD ALLEGED

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1933, Page 6

FRAUD ALLEGED

SWEEPSTAKE CONCESSIONS LTD

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON,. May 13

To-day was the first occasion for a long time that there wag a sitting ot the Supreme Court at Wellington on a Saturday afternoon.* At the luncheon adjournment at one p.m. a man was on trial for false pretences before Mr Justice Blair and a jury, and the case was not completed. It was decided to resume at 2.15.

Accused, Ernest Matthew Finlayson, was charged that by t . ; Jfalse pretences lie obtained £25 from John Edgar Wade, manufactu!r,'er, '.in business in Auckland. It was alleged that Finlayscn made false representations in connection - with the transactions of Concessions Ltd, a Wellington company, formed with the object of obtaining concessions, .from foreign countries for sweepstakes. His Honor said lie was very loath;to disturb' the jurymen’s Saturday afternoon, but he personally would like’to go on with the case that afternoon. However, he did not want to ■ impose his wishes upon them. He had to leave for South on Monday night, and the queston was whether it would- be a safe assumption that the case would he finished in time if the hearing! yras not resumed till Monday morning. The foreman said lie had consulted the other jurymen, and they would

prefer to go on. His Honour said he was obliged, to tli? juiy. Lengthy evidence from the Crown still remains to bo heard;