DICKINS’ OLD CHINA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7048, 9 February 1910, Page 5

DICKINS’ OLD CHINA

CHARGE OF FRAUD AGAINST ART DEALER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 8, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, February 8. Arthur Thomas Ellis, described as a dealer in works of art, was charged at Bow street Police Court at the end of November last with having, on July Ist, 1901, obtained a cheque for .£SOO by false pretenses from Mr Charles John Bickins.

The proceedings were said to have been instituted as the result of certain allegations made during the hearing of an action brought against the accused in May last for breach of warranty and fraudulent misrepresentation in connection with the sale of china to the late Mr Charles John Dickins, of the drapery firm of Messrs Dickins and. Jones. Judgment was then given against the accused, and on the Tuesday before the appearance at Bow street a resolution for bankruptcy was passed on a proof lodged by the petitioner in the action for *810,283.

Chief Inspector Dew, of Scotland Yard, gave evidence that on June 22nd he received\a warrant for the arrest of the accused. That morning he saw tho accused alight from the Continental train at Liverpool street station. Ho told him he held a warrant for his arrest, and ho replied, <f l wish I had known of this; it would have saved me throe weeks in a Dutch prison/' The accused was arrested in Rotterdam on October 30th and asked to be brought to England forthwith. Ho waa released by the Magistrate at Rotterdam on Saturday, and his solicitor immediately gave an assurance that he would come to London and surrender himself.

Ellis baa now been committed for trial.