BUYING MOTOR-CAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 11

BUYING MOTOR-CAR

SEQUEL IN COUET FALSE PRETENCES CHARGE DISMISSAL BY MAGISTRATE Alloyed to havo falsely represented that ho had won £.'5000 in an overseas consultation and tilt lie had the money in the Union Bank of Australia at To Aroha. Percival Hichard Parker, electrician, aged 2.5, was charged in the Police Court yesterday with obtaining, with intent to defraud, a motorcar valued at £540 from William Stanley Miller. This charge was dismissed by the magistrate, Mr. Wyvorn Wilson, on the grounds that there was no evidence of intent to defraud. Accused was also charged with obtaining £0 from Annie May McPherson, with intent to defraud, by falsely representing that he had arranged with Mr. \V. S. Miller to he paid the money.

W. S. Miller, motor dealer, said that accused was introduced to him by a man whom he knew, and they were given demonstrations of a motor-car. Accused said he was working for the Thames Valley Electric-power Hoard, and was going to Arapuni to take up a position there, but he would not be buying the car out of wages or salary as lie had won £.'5000 in an overseas sweepstake and the money was in the Union Bank at Te Aroha. He agreed to buy the car, which was taken awav that evening, but was returned next morning for minor adjustments. Subsequently witness gave instructions to his foreman not. to deliver the car.

An officer of the Union Hank stated tliat there were no agencies of the hank at Te Aroha. Annie May McPherson. accountant to the firm of W. S. Miller, said thai accused handed her a cheque form and asked her to fill it in. The cost of the ear and insurance was £547 8s .id, hut accused said he had arranged with Mr. Miller for some cash and asked her to make it out for £'552 Ss .'3d.

" It is the old tale of passing a cheque for a bit more than the cost of the goods, but instead of getting a hat or coat worth about 355, he made it a car worth £540," said the magistrate. dismissing the charge relating to the car " I am satisfied he was after nothing more than the £5." Accused, who was represented by Mr. Aekins, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge and was*remanded until Friday for a report from the probation officer.