A BOGUS CLERGYMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17753, 12 April 1921, Page 6

A BOGUS CLERGYMAN.

VALUELESS CHEQUE CHARGES

MAN COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

Three charges of having obtained goods and cash to the value of about £15, by means of ''valueless cheques and three charges of having attempted to obtain, drapery and furnishings to the value of £290, and a motor-car valued at £925 by false pretences, were made against a young man, Claude Osmonde Barker (Mr. Dickson), in the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. The offences were alleged to have been committed on March 24, accused representing himself as a Christchurch clergyman. The evidence showed that accused visited several business firms attired in clerical garb for the purpose of purchasing goods. In all his transactions he produced a vifiiting card, inscribed " Rev. W. F. Don, M.A.," saying he was on a holiday from Christchurch, and that his arrangements had been dislocated by the closing of the banks for the holidays. He visited the shop of Jonathan Coleman, tobacconist, and on the strength of his representations obtained goods valued at £6 which he ordered to be sent to his hotel. He paid with a cheque for £9, sayuig he required the change for tips. He signed the cheque F. W. Don. In the "same manner, he ordered a camera at Walter Suckling's, Ltd., receiving £2 16s change from his cheque, and at Geo. Fowlds, Ltd obtained goods and cash to the extent of £8. In the three cases the cheque forms he used had the original numbers cut off. When questioned about them he explained that it was a Christchurch business custom, and the cheques were accepted. Two were presented at the bank and returned marked " no account."

Valuable Motor in View. Accused also visited • Gillett Motors. Ltd., made similar representations, and entered into negotiations for the purchase iof a motor-car, valued at £925. He I said he would purchase the car, and made ■ arrangements to have the use of it till j after the holidays, as he could not obtain ! possession of it till it was paid for. j Accused then visited John. Court, Ltd., I told his story, and ordered a list of goods, I which included carpets, fur coats, silk, j satin, and gloves, of a total value of about £150. It was his intention to ! call later in his car, take delivery of the j goods, and pay by cheque. The firm's j credit manager, however, communicated i with him by telephone and asked for some j satisfactory reference concerning his I financial position. Accused would not ; give the name of the Christchurch bank ! o-i which the cheque would be drawn— I the request being made in order that the j bank could be communicated with for re- ! ference. The manager then told him he I could not have the goods. Accused also visited the premises of Andrews and j Clark, where he ordered furnishings to ; the value of £140. He said he would I call in his car for them, but did not do so. *

Detective-Sergeant Ward said that with Detective-Sergeant Hammond, he visited .accused; at his hotel, told him that his transactions had aroused suspicion, and asked for proof of his identity. Accused at first maintained that he was the Rev. W. F. Don, but after papers bearing the name of Claude Osmonde Barker had been found in his bag and he had been informed that as his answers were not satisfactory, he would be arrested for false pretences, he admitted his name was Barker. He said he had a business in Christchurch with a partner, as motor engineers, and had a partnership account at the Bank of New Zealand. He thought it was in credit £150. If he got the chance he would pay back the money he had received here. He had wanted to marry*, and thought he would get goods in this way. He had thought the "stunt" out; thought ho could pull it off ; and thought the " parson's clothes would bring them.** He admitted that the cheques he had given were valueless. Witness received the parcel from Coleman's, and the parcel from Fowlds' was in accused's room. Note Found in Trunk.

Witness and Detective-Sergeant Hammond found that on arrival in Auckland the previous day, in ordinary clothes, accused had engaged a sample room in the New Zealand Express Company Building. In it they found a large empty wooden case, three large envpty trunks, a suitcase containing a change of clothing and a loaded revolver. A sheet of paper with the following rough notes in accused's handwriting was found in one of the trunks.- " Boxes, sample crates, etc. must be put in hand an soon as motor is, sold. Get to Auckland in time to look out two houses, failing that, take sample rooms or cellar storage (one house ordinary, other in dress), arrive in ordinary clothes, engage cellar, look round town, pick out your marks, then change and engage another sample room or house. Stay at the best hotel." Accused would not say whene he had obtained the revolver, as he had done so without a permit. He had got it for this "stunt." He said he had brought the boxes from Christchurch to put the things in. He did not intend to keep the car. He only wanted it to bring the goods to the sample rooms. He intended to abandon it later.

Accused entered a formal plea of nob guiltv, but said he would plead guiltv at the Supreme Court. He was committed for trial.

A further charge against accused of having been in possession of a firearm and ammunition without some lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose, was adjourned.