"DOING" THE DOCTORS

NZ Truth, 7 June 1924, Page 8

"DOING" THE DOCTORS

A Cutler's Conservative

Clientele

Surgical Instruments Such As Lawn

Mowers.

The accused drew himself up to a little over his full height and indig"hantly exclaimed: "Your Worship, I am a cutler by profession and have an aristocratic connection from which I have earned about £300 this year. I sharpen lawn mowers and surgical instruments for the leading doctors of Christchurch."

The "aristocratic cutler" was nominated on the charge sheet at the Christchurch Magistrate's Court last week as Ernest James Smyth, and the allegations of the police were that he had "stung" a number of local doctors for a considerable amount of money by visiting them during their consulting hours and, on the strength of a bogus telegram, obtaining donations towards his fare to Wellington.

Dr. J. P. Whetter was the first witness for the prosecution. , He said accused had visited him on the previous Saturday and obtained £1 by producing a telegram stating: "Come at once. Mother dying:" .' Smyth had said he was without his boat fare and that all he wanted to take him to his dying mother was 17/6. Dr. Whetter, however, handed across a pound note.

Mr. Batchelor (for accused): Are you quite sure, doctor, that this is the man who visited you?— Well, if he is not, the man who came to me has j& -'double." I noticed particularly that the man had a dilated pupil m the right eye, such as accused possesses, and, also, that he wore the same overcoat and had the same general appearance as the accused. It would be almost miraoulous if he were not the same man. '

■ Dr. Widdowson gave evidence of a similar telegram having influenced him m giving accused 10/-. He was positive as to the man's identity.

i The police said there were quite a number of medical men ready to give similar evidence, but it was decided that there was no need to call them.

Accused, giving evidence on his own behalf, said his position was uncomfortable and peculiar, it being beyond doubt that the witnesses for the .prosecution had made a mistake m identity. Witness had never visited them, neither had he had m his possession a. telegram like that mentioned. He earned plehfy of money without having to stoop to begging. ■

Replying to the police, accused made the remarks quoted above and explained that at present he had no money because of the fact that he was too Stood* a fellow and spent his cash as lie earned it. It was quite true that he had been convicted three times for dishonesty and served two sentences, but m each case he was the victim of "unforeseen circumstances," just as m the present instance, and after he had served his sentences his innocence had been proved. "

The Bench considered Smyth's story too thin to be convincing and he was sentenced to three months' imprisonment.