RUSE FAILS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22981, 8 March 1938, Page 8

RUSE FAILS

TWO CONFIDENCE M FA' - SUSPICIONS OF A MERCHANT BOGUS SAILOR'S WINE ORDERS [FROM OUR OWN CORRKSPOXDEN-T] SYDNEY; March 4 Two confidence men were outmatched for shrewdness by a Sydney business man from whom they attempted to obtain goods and cash. Mr. V. Newman. a merchant, was approached by a man claiming .to be Captain' Neumann, Norwegian captain of the steamer Taronga 1 . The "cap. tain" said in broken English that ho wanted to place a big order for wines for his ship. He suggested that the invoicing should show an extra 20 or ' .30 cases, which need' not be delivered but could be treated as a "rake-off." in which both could share. Another Conference The "captain" also wanted to meet a wholesale butcher to stock up his ship with meat, and asked if Mr. Xewman would be so good as to arrange for him to meet a butcher. Mr. Newman was suspicious. He arranged another conference. In the meantime hj« communicated with the agents of the Taronga and learned that the name of the Taronga's captain was Anderson, not Neumann. Mr. Newman also learned that during his absentc from the office the "captain" had attempted to obtain loans of money, from the staff on the strength of his big orders. Appearance of Detectives Now certain that his visitor was bogus, Mr. Newman asked a friend to pos<> as a wholesale butcher, and "Captain'' Neumann arrived and introduced a second man as his chief steward. In the "chief steward" Mr, Newman recognised a well-known criminal. Big "deals" in wines and meat were discussed until, tired of the farce, Mr. Newman left the room and telephoned the police. Detectives McFarland and Faean walked into the room. The recognition by the detectives and the two visitors was mutual, but none gave the slightest hint, and the talk went on. As no offence against the law had been committed, the detectives merely warned c the bogus captain and steward, who left discomfited.