A FOOLISH DECEPTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19952, 20 November 1926, Page 15

A FOOLISH DECEPTION.

MAN’S FALL FROM GRACE.

SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT,

(Per Exited Press Associatiox.) INVERCARGILL, November 19. The wob that Albert Edward Beadle wove when first he commenced to deceive his wife was untangled in the Police Court to-day before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., by Detective Sergeant Carroll, who prosecuted, f-nd Mr Ritchie, who represented the accused. Beadle had two charges io face, both being of obtaining money by false pretences. Accused's solicitor accounted for his clients lapse from grace by a tale both tragic and romantic. Beadle was married about six months ago. At that time his prospects were rosy, and he had enjoyed a happy honeymoon. Not long after his return from this blissful holiday, he lost his position. Then, to use Mr Ritchies words, “his male instinct to make tho best appearance before the female caused him to commit the grievous error of not telling his wife of his misfortune. For months there followed a deception that must have been a terrific strain on the principal actor. As far as his wife knew, he went to work as usual and she received as before money for her household expenses. Unfortunately, this money had been borrowed by Beadle, and when ordinary borrowing- was no longer available he resorted to less honest means of obtaining money, with the result that ha appeared in court with two charges to face. The first intimation his wife had of things being amiss was a notice of a meeting of his creditors, for a short time ago Beadles affairs became so bad as to make such a meeting necessary. The charges wore as follow:—That on August 26 he obtained from James Robertson the sum of £l6 by false pretences, and that at Glenham on September 20 he obtained the sum of £lO from Duncan Campbell M’Kenzio by falsely representing that he had money in either the Invercargill Post Office Savings Bank or the Invercargill Savings Bank. Mr ’Ritchie asked that the second charge be dealt with first. Accused pleaded not guilty, and elected to be dealt with summarily.

Detective Sergeant Carroll stated that accused had been touring round the country selling a wireless apparatus. He had called at Glenham. M'Kenzie kept a store there, and was also in charge of the post office. Accused had called at the store and had asked for a post office cheque M'Kenzie had informed him there was no such things, and had advised him to ring up the postmaster at Wyndham. Accu.sed had then asked him for £lO on loan, stating that he had money in , the Post Office Savings Bank and would repay it in a few days. He had not paid the money back despite several letters from McKenzie, but the latter had received notice to attend a meeting of creditors in accused's estate.

Mr Cruickshank said that he was quite satisfied that Beadle had borrowed the money by making a false statement. He had led McKenzie to believe that he had money in the Post Office. His statements might have been a bit vague, but M‘Kenzie had been misled. Accused would have to be convicted.

The second charge was then taken. Accused elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty. It was stated by the police that Beadle had wanted money urgently, and had raised £ls from a Mr Welsh on a Dodge car he was using. Mr Welsh had instructed his solicitor or Mr Robertson to prepare a bill of sale. Accused had stated that the car was his own, and was unencumbered. Mr Robertson had drawn up a document, accused had signed it, and had received £ls. He had not paid this back. Gormack and Pettigrew had seized the car under the hire purchase agreement, no instalments having been paid on it. Mr Welsh’s security was therefore no good.

The Magistrate: That is a crime under the Chattels Transfer Act. I gave a man three months for that in connection with cattle.

Mr Ritchie said accused had been married six months ago. He had made his own furniture, and at the time of his marriage his prospects were rosy. He was earning £5 a week plus commission. Not long after his return from his honeymoon he lost his job. Accused did not drink, smoke, or gamble. His money had gone in household expenses. It was a great mistake of his not to disclose to his wife his true position. He had been a confounded fool to himself, and others had to suffer 'For his folly, his wife being the chief sufferer. He had been strutting before his wife and her people. His wife had left town, and would not go back to him until he proved himself a man worthy of her respect. Beadle had had his lesson, and counsel urged that he receive the most lenient treatment possible. Detective Sergeant Carroll said accused had a clean record. The Magistrate referred to his previous good character, but stated that he had done two very wrong acts. Had he not got into trouble now he would base done §o before long. The case was adjourned till Monday, so that the Magistrate could receive the probation officer’s report.