CHINESE DOCTOR'S MONEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21376, 28 December 1932, Page 7

CHINESE DOCTOR'S MONEY.

ALLEGED CONFIDENCE TRICK WITHDRAWAL OF A CHARGE , [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] - LONDON, Nov. 22 Harry Willis, aged 38, salesman, was charged at Marlborough Street Police Court a few days ago with being concerned in stealing £IOO by means of a confidence trick'"from Dr. En Shui Tai, a physician at th'e Chinese Legation. Wilh> was also charged with assaulting Dr. Tai so by striking him with his fist-. After the - > case had been opened the confidence trick ; charge was withdrawn and "Willis was fined £1 for the assault and ordered to pay £4 4s costs.

Counsel for Willis said he pleaded not guilty to both charges. Prosecuting counsel stated that Dr. Tax came from Hongkong and he was in this country getting. further professional ' experience. Willis spoke to him in Southampton Row and they arranged to meet again. On the following Sunday morning Willis rang Dr. Tai and asked the doctor to go with him to Hyde Park "to sea the dykes and duchesses riding in the Row." They went and arranged to meet again. Willis said he came from South Africa and- that he would call at Hongkong when he returned. He also asked Dr. Tai what timo he had breakfast. "His conduct was that of a. confidence trickster," observed Mr. Knight. Continuing, counsel said that Willis did not see Dr. Tai. for some time. Meanwhile Dr. Tai had the misfortune to meet another man and when they were'walking & together in Holborn a third who said ho was a farmer from New Zealand, spoke to them. The first man, who said he came from Ireland, represented that he had a large fortune distributed in various parts of the world. The "farmer" duced what looked like notes and it was suggested that Dr. Tai should produce some money. Dr. Tai went to the bank and drew out his money. The two men disappeared and' so did the doctor's £IOO. Ho had not seen them since. Counsel then described how Dr. Tai later ,> saw Willis in the "jWest End and followed him. Willis boarded an omnibus and > Dr. Tai followed. Er. Tai got -hold of Willis' arm and said he wanted to take him to the police. Willis tried to push - the doctor off the omnibus. Both got off the omnibus. Willis apparently struck Dr. Tai in the face, making his mouth "bleed. Ho gave Dr. Tai two blows and got away. Dr. Tai followed, shouting "Stop him," and Willis was arrested as he was about to get into a taxicab. In reply to the charge Willis said: "I had not seen the man for two days before he was 'done'." _ Prosecuting counsel said he thought there was some doubt about,the confidence case.. . ■ ■. ' The Magistrate: I share your doubt as to whether this is a proper case for committal. That being so, you offer no evi- - dence on that charge? Counsel: No, sir. Willis was. discharged on the confidence * : charge. He was afterwards brought up before the magistrate: on the- charge of assaulting Dr. Tai and withdrew his plea < : of not .guilty. . Defendiag counsel said that,, r . apart from this assault, Willis'was a man of perfectly good character. He had beeo in custody seven days on the-theft charge The magistrate then f;ned Willis as"staU«, ( >vV m