TICKERS ON TICK

NZ Truth, Issue 979, 30 August 1924, Page 6

TICKERS ON TICK

Tale Of Artful Dodger

And His Taking Ways.

Are • Wellington business men so trustful that they accept the yarn of any plausible rogue who tries ■to get goods on credit? It seems that a smooth tongue can work miracles m Wellington. Instance the case , of John Lennox, 58, a plumber, a softtongued gentleman, 1 who pleaded guilty at the Wellington Magistrate's Court this week to three charges of false pretences and was committed for sentence. The curtain rose on this little drama when Lennox. visited Mr. Thomas Hall Coltman, jeweller, m Cuba Street, on June 26 last. According- to Mr. Coltman, who gave evidence, the accused called at his shop and stated that his name was McDonald, and that he was a builder m Wellington. "McDonald" then 'started chatting m a friendly manner, recalling old times, and mentioned casually that his business was situated m Taranaki Street. Mr. Coltman admitted m the box that he could not recall "McDonald," but his manner was so convincing thai he took him on trust. ! As soon as "McDonald" felt that he. had got on friendly terms with the jeweller he showed an interest m watches. So he . tried his luck of selecting a metal watch and chain, valued at „£l, and told Mr. Coltman that the watch was for one of his workmen.' Later "McDonald" paid another friendly call and selected a watch valued at £3' 10s for an ithcr of his workmen. Such benevolence! Anyhow, the trick worked, but "McDonald," feeling no doubt that he could not buy unlimited watches for unlimited workmen, paid yet another call and remarking that it was "his old woman's birthday," selected a granny chain for £6 10s. . On each of these occasions this plausible rogue said he would pay the jeweller at the end of the week. A similar , story was told by Mr. Lewis Brady, managing director for Lindsay's, who stated : that accused was supplied with boots valued at £13 10s.; And Mr. William Alfred Brown, manager of the Hatbox Mercery Co., capped . this melancholy record with a similar tale. Meantime, the plausible gentleman languishes m gaol reflecting on his venturesome, past and the possibilities of the wrath to come. ;