GET RICH QUICK?

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1782, 7 April 1921, Page 5

GET RICH QUICK?

WELLINGTON MAN BEFORE THE COURT. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. At the Magistrate's Court a case was heard against Thomas Keen Cockburn, on a charge of theft and false representations. The first charge was that ho had obtained £l5O from E. I. Farrington by falsely representing himself as the owner of a timber sawmill in Dannevirke. The second charge was of the theft of £2O from Farrington. It was stated that accused had established himself in 1920 as a builder under the name, of the Terabidoe Building Syndicate Through answering advertisements and other ways, he had contracted to build houses, asking and receiving deposits ranging from £IOO to £l5O. Accused, who really was the syndicate, undertook for his clients to borrow money from the State, taking a second mortgage himself for the balance beyond the amount of the deposits. Evidence was called to the effect that deposits had been paid to accused on his promise to build, but that he had made no attempt to proceed with the erection of the houses. One witness, who sought work from accused, gave evidence that he was employed chiefly in the preparation of plans and supervising woj,-k. He had been engaged for a period £9 a week, and for a subsequent period at £7 per week, but in twelve mouths he had only received £63 in wages. During the period he was in accused’s employ he had prepared plans and specifications for buildings worth £20,000. Detective-Sergeant Torrance gave evidence of fruitless calls at accused’s office. He went to fiis private house and met accused’s wife, who said the latter was out of town. The Detective was not satisfied, and went to the back door and knocked, but there was no response. Ho then threatened to force an entrance, and accused opened the door, and he thereupon arrested him. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. , Bail was allowed, £l5O and two similar sureties.