FALSE PRETENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19859, 1 February 1928, Page 14

FALSE PRETENCES.

ADVERTISING AGENT FINED. " SAILING TOO CLOSE TO WIND." Describing the case as being one of the usual swindles heard every fortnight, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., convicted Wesley Marriott Charles Webb, a young married advertising agent, on a charge of false pretences, and fined him £lO in the Police Court yesterday. The charge alleged that Webb had obtained photographs, valued at £lB 17s 6d, from Mark Smethurst, printer, Newmarket, by falsely representing they were required for the New Zealand Rugby Football League. Smethurst's head printer said Webb told him to do the work for him, as he was acting for the League. Photographs were printed and supplied, but no payment was forthcoming. Eventually accused had written stating the League had "let him down." "Accused had no authority from the League to incur any expense iu the League's name," said Mr. C. A. Snedden, prasident of,the New Zealand Rugby League Council. "If the photographs were sold among the crowd at football matches, the League did not got the money." In order to show system, Chief-Detec-tive Hammond called A. J. Morris, printer, Avondale, who said accused had got him to do work which accused said would be paid for by two Ponsonby business men. These men, however, had repudiated liability, and accused had paid £1 off the debt only after witness had threatened to put the case in the hands of the police. In giving evidence, Webb said he had acted in good faith when he ordered the printing of the photographs. It was only the financial failure of his plans which prevented him from settling with Smethurst. "From his general evidence and from what has been said I am satisfied that accused is guilty," said the magistrate. "However, as he has never been up before I will give him a chance." Turning to Webb, the magistrate said; "Be honest in future with your tradesmen. Do not go chasing all over the town harassing business people and getting orders for advertisements and so on and not doing the square thing. You have been sailing too close to the wind for some time, it seems to me." "Men like accused," said Chief-Detec-tive Hammond, "are a pest to all business people. Counsel; I think business men are as much to blame for being so easily taken in.