COURTSHIP ON A LINER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14465, 3 September 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

COURTSHIP ON A LINER.

A PLAUSIBLE SWINDLER. A FBI END OF THE POLICE. Whkx *ho steamer Moravian was on a voyage from the Capo to England a young lady passenger fell an easy dupe to a plausible stranger, who promised lier marriage and then relieved her of £16 of her money, on the plea, that he could not get. banknotes changed on boaid. He decamped in Loudon, but was traced to Bristol and arrested, and in that, town charged with the theft. Accused was Henry Jeffrey, about 30, well-dressed, and he was charged with stealing from Miss Sarah Smith, of Red hi 11, Surrey, a hand mirror and 'various toilet, articles and £16 in money. Prosecutrix, who gave her evidence with coolness and self-possession, stated that she met prisoner on tho Moravian on the voyage from South Africa to London. The Clerk : Where did you get. on speaking terms?— About two days after we left!" Did ho speak to vou ?We met at the table He is charged with stealing this money; how did ho obtain it fiom you'—He represented himself to be the son of Sir Henry Jeffrey, and gave me his address as The Grange, Bath. Did ho say he was single —Yes. Did he propose to you?—He did. sir. He asked you to any him? —Yes. You consented, perhaps?—l consented, subject to mv relatives' approval. Did he ask you for'any money?—He told me he had £100 in banknotes on board. Mr. Arrowrmith (a magistrate) : How long after he first spoke to you did he propose ?—I suppose it was about a week. Replying to further question, witness said : He said ho had £100 in banknotes and that he had inquired for change, but could rot get it on heard. Mr. Arrowsmith : I suppose ho knew you had money?—l do not know. I did not tell him I had money. I trusted him in the circumstances, and said if he liked I would give him change. I did notknow how much he wanted change for, but I could only on that day hand him over £15. Did lie give you the note? —No; he sail it was safer with him. I gave him £1 on July 10 and then £15. Mr. Arrowsmith : You were content to let him retain the note?l trusted him absolutely. What did he say —he said: "I will take care of it until I get to London ; then I will pay you." We arrived at the Royal Albert Dock on the 17th. What happened then ?—Ho asked me to spend Sunday at a hotel with him, but I told him I expected a friend to meet me, and that I should only go to the hotel if she turned up. to which he consented. My friend turned up, and Mr. Jeffrey was quite willing when I said I would go with my friend. Ho took us in a taxi, and gave us lunch, and he came to my friend's house, and was introduced as my intended husband. He left us with the arringement, that we should meet at 10.30 at Cannon-street station. He was to give me my money back on Monday morning, and also give me an engagement ring. Did you see him again ?We waited 2j hours at Cannon-street station, but he did not. turn up. What did you do then ?—Wo thought we had tetter go to see about the luggage at Paddington. At Paddingto.i station I saw a box belonging to Mr. Jeffrey, for which he had loft a label addressed "Jeffrey, cloakroom, Bristol." When I saw that box addressed to Bristol I thought there was something strange about it, and then made a complaint to tho stationmaster. You have not received the notes or your money ?—I have received nothing. You have got your boxes?— Yes, I have got my luggage all right. Det-ectivi-Inspecto.* Hopkire, of Bristol, gave evidence as to the arrest of prisoner, -md, continuing, said: —'• I asked him what he was, and he said he was a teacher under the Education Department, South Africa, and he was Home for a holiday " It was aleo stated that a letter found on prisoner laid that he was married. Addressing the magistrates, prisoner, who pleaded guilty, aid : "I can only say that I had no intention whatever of robbing Miss Smith. My intention was to post the things to her; in fact, previous to the inspector coming, I had written and posted a letter to Miss Smith, but I did not include the money. No one could feel more ashamed than I do. I lost this money and a great deal more of my own. and* I feel my position very much. If I can refund the money I shall do so. I have written to South Africa for money. _ , Mr. Arrowsmith • Are you married ?— No. sir Here is an entry in your diary : " Wife very fond of calling me a fool." —Well, I am not married ; I can only put that down to when I was living with my brother-in-law, and should have. written, "John's wif» very fond of calling me a fool." Although I am ashamed to have to say it, my greatest friend in South Africa is the chief of police. 1 daresay information could be got from him through Scotland Yard. Mr. Arrowsmith ; If you 'have had no wife you have a very strong imagination. " Wife" is referred to time after time in this diary. Hero is an entry : " God bless my girl wife, she has had more than her share of trouble." Prisoner : I can only say what I have already said. Detective Hopkins handed several letters to the magistrates which bad been found on accused. One of these the ('inspector described as a " blackmailing" letter. The Chairman said the justices thought prisoner had deceived Miss Smith very much. It wa6 not a very nice thing for him to do, as he appeared to bo married. There was no doubt in the magistrates' mind that if she had consented to visit him at the hotel, harm would have com of it. The money —£5 lis lidfound upon him would bo given up to Miss Smith, and prisoner would have to go to gaol for six months.