FRAUDS OX APPLICANTS FOR SITUATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8020, 6 August 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

FRAUDS OX APPLICANTS FOR SITUATIONS.

At tho Middlesex Sessions, on May 27ti), before the Assistant Judge, John Robertson Reid, 70 years of age, who was described in tho calendar as a schoolmaster aiil a Master of Arts, of Buporior education, waa indicted for obtaining by false pretences, from Mary Harrison, tho sum of 21s, and from Sarah Todd Atkinson the several sums of 12* Cd and S.-t 0:1 in each case, with intent to defraud Mr. Forrest Fulton prosecuted, on bohnlf of tho Tro.-isury. Tho prisoner, who alleged that ho waa Buffering from deafness, through an injury to ono of his car?, pleaded guilty to all tho charges, and there were many, brought ngaiutt him. Mr. Pulton said the prisoner had been guilty of raotfc serious frauds, which had been carried on for a considerable timo. They were also very mischievous, as they affected persona to whom every shilling was of importance, who were seeking situations as governesses. The prisoner had been in the habit of advertising for poraona of this class anxious to obt.iin such situations, who were to apply by letter to " Tho London Educational Institute. Established in tho yetr 1530," nr I situated in tho HighStreet, Cunden Town. Ho described himself as a Master of Arts and Doctor of Laws. Now thero was no each institution in existence, end whatever business waa carried on there was in some small back room, which ho rented at a fow shillings per week. Tho Assistant Judge : Theea frauds tiro committed upon poor people, who could ill-afford ti lose a single panuy. Mr. Fulton: Quite eo, my lord. The prisoner has been wanted by the polico for several years past. one of tho worst features of tho cr.so Traa that whin his unfortunate victims complained of not being ab!o to yet any situations, ho wrote them letters of an insulting character, with a view of intimidating them. The Assistant Judge: Yes, Mr. Fulton, this class of persons, who cheat helpless women, frequently do such things. Inspector Swanston, who had charge of tho caae, said ho had traoed upwards of 40 cases against tho prisoner in which money had been obtained from poor governesses and others by fraud. Tho Charity Organisation Society had alao received many complaints concerning him, and since then, under tho pretence of being a schoolmaster, ho had for the last 'JO years boon carrying on the same practices. I tie lordship, in passing sentence, said the prisoner had been guilty of most brutal and wicked frauds. It was ono of the most heartless ca3ea that ho had ever had to deal with during the many years ho had eat on that Bench. Ho then ordered tho prisoner to undergo 16 months , imprisonment, with hard labour.