FRAUD CHARGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 13

FRAUD CHARGES

CREDIT FOR EADIOS PRIZES IN ART UNION CLUB SECRETARY ON TRIAL ALLEGATIONS BY CROWN Charges of false pretences or of obtaining credit by fraud were brought in the Supreme Court yesterday against Albert Edward Arthur Hamilton, motor mechanic (Mr. 13. S. Lockhart). Tlio case was heard by Mr. Justice Fair and the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. V. 11. Meredith. prosecuted. The chaiges against Hamilton were, first, that on or about July 3, with intent to defraud by means of a false pretence, he represented that all that was necessary to complete payment by cheque was the signature of 'a member of the committee of the, Bird Lovers' Society and so obtained three radio sets valued at £77 from Radio Centre, Limited; and, secondly, that in incurring a liability of £77 for radio sets ho obtained credit by fraud. The Winners Notified Mr. Meredith said that accused had alleged he was secretary of the Bird Lovers' Club, which, apparently, did not exist. He ran an art union on behalf of this society, offering as prizes three radio sets valued n,t £-12, £2O 10s and £l4 10s, When the art union was drawn and the winners notified of their success there was no money forthcoming for their prizes. Accused arranged to get the three radio sets from Kadio Centre, Limited, by asserting that payment would be made forthwith as soon as he had got another signature of a committee member, Mr. Meredith continued. There was no committee, and the sets had not been paid for. Accused, Mr. Meredith said, had been speaking over the air from IZB as "Uncle Bert," giving talks on bird life, and he first formed what was known as the "IZB Bird Lovers' Club," which was later called the "Auckland Bird Lovers' Club." He made a loss of about £4O on a club picnic to Oneroa, and lie organised an art union to meet the club's debts of £79. Apparently, counsel said, his only idea of paying for the radio sets was to run another art union. Promise of Cheque Henry William Henderson, manager of Radio Centre, Limited, stated that accused got credit from him by promising a cheque as soon as ho got another signature. He said he was secretary of the Bird Lovers' Club and was interested in establishing a "Boys' town" home for boys. In cross-examination witness said accused told him he had sold sufficient art union tickets and the money was available. The manager of the Anchor Printery, Limited, Philip Solomons, said that about March last accused got him to print 10,000 art union tickets, which were paid for. Hamilton got other printing done in connection with the Bird Lovers' Club and crippled children's aid, and was now owing witness £l6. The winner of the first prize radio, Joseph William Parker, retired farmer, gave evidence of negotiations he had had with accused before he obtained a radio set. William Edward Stuart McKay, carrier, said he first met accused about a year ago as "Uncle Bert" of IZB, when accused got him to arrange free transport for orphan children. Witness later helped him to carry through a 'picnic for cripples . and orphans to Oneroa. Accused wanted him to become president of the Bird Lovers' Club, but lie declined. The case was adjourned for the hearing of further evidence to-day.