THE CONFIDENCE TRICK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19170, 9 November 1925, Page 11

THE CONFIDENCE TRICK.

NEW ZEALAND VICTIM.

DEFRAUDED OF £125.

"SILLY MAN" DODGE AGAIN.

[from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, Oct. 29. Tho confidence trick was played on a New Zealander, Mr. Charles R. Milne, an eriginedrivor, in Melbourne last week, and ho was defrauded of £125. In a report to the police Mr. Milne said that he had been in Victoria for about 18 months, and most of the time had been working in the country. He went to Melbourne last week and began to search for employment. On Friday afternoon, while ho was walking in Swanston Street, ho was approached by a man who asked to be directed to the Bank of New Zealand. The two entered into conversation, in the course of which the stranger stated that he was a native of New Zealand. He appeared to be affable and honest, and when he suggested that Mr. Milne should meet him again on Saturday the latter readily agreed. At 9 o'clock on Saturday morning Mr. Milne again met the stranger, who was accompanied by another man. who said that he was a chemist, and offered to obtain employment for Mr. Milne through the good offices of a man who was said to have a sawmill at Warburton. The tlireo men wont into an hotel, at Fitzroy, and tho alleged chemist made some inquiries, as the result of which he informed the other two that his friend, tho "sawmill owner" was exercising a favourite dog in the Fitzroy Gardens. While a search was being made for the mysterious friend in the gardens the three men were confronted by an individual whose eccentric behaviour drew from one of Mr. Milne's companions the remark, "He's silly." The newcomer produced a pack of cards, and selecting three, said, "You look intelligent men. I will bet you that you cannot pick a rrf/f I name." Then followed some manipulation of the cards, and one of Mr. Milne's companions said that be would be' £lO that he could pick the card. The bet, was taken, and Mr. Milne's companion won. The "silly" mail, whoso pockets Mr. Milne had noticed, seemed to be liberally lined with notes, duly paid £lO. Mr. Milne's other companion, the "chemist," then said, "I will bet you £250," and Mr. Milne himself was induced to bet £5. Both Mr. Milne and the "chemist" lost, and the "chemist," Milne told the police, cried bitterly. After the game had been in progress for some time Mr. Milne was induced to accompany one of the men into the city and to draw" from his account at the Commonwealth Bank £l2o—practically the whole of his savings. He returned with his com panion to a hotel at Fitzroy. and in a private rooni where the "silly" man and the other member of the party were waiting, the whole amount was placed on a table. The other members of the party also placed all their available cash on the table, until there was a "pool" of about £BSO. The "silly" man manipulated the cards, Mr. Milne took tho pick, and lost. The "silly" man, who had become by this time quite sane, picked up all the money on the table and left unobtrusively. The "chemist" then left, saying that he was going* to ring up the bank, and the other man and ?>lr. Milne returned to the citv, and parted in Swanston Street. That night Mr. Milne became suspicious, and reported the matter to the police, who are making inquiries.