“SHOP” AT TAKAPUNA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18703, 8 May 1924, Page 11

“SHOP” AT TAKAPUNA.

STORY OF ALLEGED FRAUD. SYDNEY RESIDENT CHARGED — 11 ■ ■ . .. '■/ VICTIM'S VISIT to AUCKLAND. [nunc oca OWTf COBBESIfOSSEST.] SYDNEY. May.' I. v: A- middle-aged man ; named ■ Alfred ' Marshall, -who has represented himself as :a, ' retired doctor and grazier, owning: extensive properties in Now Zealand,? was: he- v ; fore the Central Police Court on Monday. Marshall was charged with having obtained furniture of the value of : £40 from a Cecil Ernes,t Brett, by falsely pretending , that he was owner of a restaurant and sundae shop at Taktpuna. • k ■ Evidence was given that in Jf«uary , Breteil was living in Bream Street, Congee, when accused presented himself in answer to an advertisement for a hoarder. He said he was displeased with the manager of his Takapuna shop. . The business, he said, was going down, and ho asked Breteil "how he would like to take . it on." _ The latter considered it c lair proposition. He was to take the managership with a view to purchase. 'Later Breteil said to accused : "I have • thought it over with my wife, Doc., and » have decided to take it on." ! "'You can have the business for £30w>," said accused, "I will allow you £25u lor > the pianola and £50 for tire furniture. • Although you have really only £300. I • will give you credit for &1G00: and you t: can pay 6 per cent, on the £2000 bal- • ance." An auctioneer was called in. and . > Bret-ell's furniture was sold to him for > "£4O. '. : :V Accused arranged for Breteil'a passage i to New Zealand, and he was to sail with i him, but at the last moment he said fte I had to see some one in Queensland. Armed with an introduction to accused's manager, a "Air.- Willis,"' Breteil sailed for - Auckland. On arrival ho found there was ho such restaurant. as the Ex- • celsior at Takapuna; nor was -there any • Mr. Willis. He communicated : withthe :■ police. , V - - The pianolo was to go to an auction • room, but .'was not to be sold- until paid ; for. ; Marshall undertook to %* pay:* the" • amount* owing on the instrument;'but 'as Mrs. Breteil did not receive the £40 - cheque for the furniture,- as arranged, J she took possession- of , the pianola < and; 3 sent ft; radiogram message to her husband,. ? He: received it as he was sn earing, Auck- : 1 land. - , ,s " I -Marshall wa§ committed for . trial. :