“RINGING THE CHANGES”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23218, 16 June 1937, Page 13

“RINGING THE CHANGES”

CHARGE OF ATTEMPTED THEFT SHOWMAN IN TROUBLE (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 15. As the result of an investigation in the Police Court this morning of a financial transaction, a showman, Robert Ernest Larkin, aged 42, will have to pay a fine of £5 or spend 21 days in prison. Larkin was charged with attempting to steal 10s from Winifred Waite on June 10, and pleaded not guilty. Mrs Waite, of Queen street, a confectioner, gave evidence that Larkin entered the shop shortly after 8.30 on Thursday evening last, ordered a milk shake, and tendered a 10s note. She handed him 9s 8d change. “He then pulled out some silver and asked me to return the 10s note,’” Mrs Waite said. “He also asked me to give him £1 for it. 1 could see he was trying to ‘ ring the changes ’ on me. He kept calling me Senorita, and he talked about Mexico. I then told him to go. He showed signs of having had liquor. Defending counsel, Mr Aekins, contended that Larkin only asked for his 10s back.

Mr W. R. M’Kean, S.M.: Oh. no! He was after something more. lam quite sure he was trying to “ ring the changes.” He is convicted. Is anything known about him? Detective Sergeant M’Hugh: Quite a lot, sir Larkin is known to the police as a showman, spieler, and “ hotel barber.” He lives by taking people down. This is one of his methods “ to ring the changes.” Mr Aekins: That is not so. He has been working. He buys goods from warehouses and sells them. He has not been in any serious trouble for three years. I think if you prohibited him and gave him a chance he would be all right. “ I don’t think so,” the magistrate said, looking at the list of convictions. Mr Aekins asked for a week in which to pay the fine. The magistrate: No! He will have no time in which to pay.