False Pretence Charge

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 208, 2 September 1941, Page 6

False Pretence Charge

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Sept. 1. The scarcity and high value of gold tempted tAvo business people in Dunedin to purchase from a man who stated that he was olf a ship coins which the police allego were represented as being . worth £lO which looked like gold and even responded to the gold test, but Avliich were discovered to be silver

coins gilded over. In a sequel, Reginald Clarence Watson, aged 35, faced this morning a charge, to which he pleaded not guilt}', of obtaining £G from Chin Tong Non and £3 irom Jamesina Catherine Fraser by a false pretence. The police stated that accused purchased four English crown pieces from Robinson’s Financo Co.’s shop, telling the assistant that his son was a coin collector. Later ho took the two coins to Mollers, a working jewellers, and had them gilded. The same day he called at Fraser’s and offered the coin for sale. The test showed gold, and she paid him £3. Later, calling at a laundry and stating that the coin A»as worth £lO, he sold it for £G. Returning to this shop, he Avanted to borrow £B, but the police in the meantime had ueen informed.

For tno detence Mr. C. J. L. White said Watson made no representations at all about the coins, though he avus uot averse from making money out of them if the opportunity offered. It was really greed that led Chin Tung Non into trouble. Miss Eraser made uo inquiries. “Accused does not pretend to 0e a saint,’’ counsel added, “but he denies making any representations whatever.''

“Unquestionably you had the coins gilded xor fraudulent purpose?,” the : Magistrate said. ** I am satislied you 'are lying when you say you made uo representations concerning your coins. In any case, your actions speak for themselves!” Accused was remanded in custody till Friday.