WENT ON TOUR ON “PAPER” MONEY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6867, 23 March 1929, Page 8

WENT ON TOUR ON “PAPER” MONEY

TAXI-DRIVER DEFRAUDED. A man named Samuel Davis, with two aliases, appeared before Mr. J. L. Stout S.M., in tho Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, charged with being in a state of intoxication on March 15 and with obtaining £3 by means of a false pretence on the same date. _ Accused pleaded guilty to both charges and elected to bo" dealt with summarily on the second count. Senior-Sergeant Whitehouso . stated that on tho date mentioned in the charge, accused had approached a taxidriver and requested the latter to drive him to Bulls. When making this request, ho had made a gesture towards his inside coat pocket, as though it contained money and >ad allowed tho driver to catch a glimpse of apparent bank-notes. The latter had accordingly set out for Balls, accused calling several halts at hotels en route. Eventually, the driver had become alarmed for his fare, which he had demanded from the passenger. At this request, David had laughed and inquired whether the driver took him for a “mug.” Accused had then directed the taxi-driver to proceed to a nearby farm, but on inquiry, the lady of the houso had stated that the name of “Simkins” given by accused was not his name at all but that of her husband. Davis had then requested the driver to take him to another farm but here also he had been ordered away by the lady of the house. Finally, the car had then returned to Palmerston North, but even then, accused had declared that he could get the money if the driver would take him to Wellington. Davis had a list of previous convictions but had not been in trouble lor two years. The “money” which accused had indicated m his inside pocket, had been merely pieces of paper. Accused: If your worship will deal leniently with me, I will go straight and pay the fino. Drink was the trouble. The Magistrate: Where can you get the money 1 Accused: In Palmerston North. The Magistrate: I don’t think wo would see you again. However, I will give you one last chance. You will befined 5s in default 24 hours on tho charge of drunkenness, and will be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence any time within six months, on the second charge. You will be ordered to repay tho money within a week otherwise you will be brought befope tho Court again. I am taking a risk! considering your list, but I am taking into consideration the fact that you have not been in trouble for two vears.”