BOWLED—137

NZ Truth, Issue 1152, 29 December 1927, Page 6

BOWLED— I37

When Grogan Was Caught Out

(Prom "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Rep.) If we were all of the same turn of mind in dealing with an awkward situation as was James Stewart Grogan when he was dismissed from the services of the Dominion Art Company, Auckland, there would then be little or r.j unemployment in the country. AT least, not until it became very evident that we were breaking the law. Twelve months ago Qrog-an, a carpenter by trade, decided to try his hand at , travelling. So, gaining employment as canvasser for the above firm, which carries on business as a picture enlarging studio, he set sail into the highways and byways of the Auckland District. Something went wrong with the tour, and in April, Grogan received the distressing news that 'his services were dispensed with. But Grogan was not dismayed, and sticking to the old maxim which says — "If you don't know when you have a good man, I know when I have a good boss" — he carried on his business until the day arrived when he was arrested on a modest 137 charges of false pretences. ART IS LONG In consequence of Grogan'a self-ap-pointed position, the art gallery at the Auckland detective office received a liberal contribution. This came about by Grogan detaining all the photographs which he collected after April, and in view of the number of charges, it must have been a healthy swag that fell into the hands of the police. His" campaign 'had been remunerative to the tune of £79; but Grogan had a little side-line whch added some variety to his long list of false pre.tences —he stole a watch and a bicycle. (Time flies, apparently!) When facing Magistrate McKean at the Auckland Magistrate's Court on Monday, Grogan pleaded guilty to all the charges. Chief Detective Cummings handed in a list of other matters that had previously brought the un-happy-looking man before the law. ' For a previous conviction for false pretences he had received three years' probation. Theft and the unlawful use of a horse also figured on his list. Accused admitted that he had no one dependent upon his earnings, and it may be just as well that it is so, for there will be no sore and yearning hearts during the next six months, when he will b© doing hard labor with eighteen months' reformative treatment to follow.