IMITATING MRS GORDON BAILEE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1932, 30 November 1888, Page 16

IMITATING MRS GORDON BAILEE.

At the City Police Court, Dunedin, on Tuesday last Margaret Mary Belinda Todd, alias Cruickshank, an elderly woman, was charged on remand with obtaining by false pretences on October 22, from David Dawson, one bracelet, value £5 ss; one cake basket, value £3 10s ; one teapot, value £2 17s 6d ; one set of studs and sleeve links, value £3; one biscuit box, value £2 3s; one plush bag, value 9s 6d; and one despatch box, value £2 5s. — Chief -detective Henderson conducted the case for the prosecution.— David Dawson, watchmaker and jeweller, George street, deposed that accused came to hid shop two or three times to ask prices of watches. On the 15th inst., in response to a message, witness called at her lodgings in Moray place and showed her some gold watches. She had previously said she expected money from Home. She said she intended to make a friend a present. She said she was in receipt of a legacy of £80,000 from a brother who had died in England. She also said that the money was with the public trustee here, and that Mr Haggitt had something to do with it. The money was to be lodged with the Bank of New Zealand when the necessary formalities had been gone through. Iv case anything happened to her in the meantime, she signed cheques for the amounts for which she became indebted bs they went along. These cheques were to be cashed as soon as the money was deposited at the bank. On these representations witness supplied her on November 15 with a lady's gold watch and chain, value £25 ; silver spoons, £25 ; diamond ring, £13; gold spectacles, £3 ss; on the 19th — a lady's gold watch, £23 10s; gold links and studs, £2 17s 6d; diamond ring, £4 10s; silver brooch, 6s; card case, £1 ss; gold bracelet, £7 10s; silver salvor, £10; on the 20th— gold albert, £10; dressing case, £6 ; on the 21st — gold brooch and earrings, £5 10s ; gold bracelet, £5 ss ; gold earring, £l 15s ; gold key, £1 2s 6d ; jewel case, £2 ss ; silver brooches, 30s ; speotacle oases, 2s 6d ; on the 22nd— cake basket, £3 10s ; teapot, £2 17s; biscuit box, £3 15s; link and studs, £3; gold bracelet, £5 ss; plush bag, 15a; purse, 2s I6d ; despatch box, £2 sb. NexfcJ day (the 23rd) accused came to the shop and held up a bundle of letters with the Bank of New Zealand stamp, saying she was on her way to the bank. In a quarter of an hour's time she came back showing a new envelope, and saying that the money was all right. She ordered some more goods, but before supplying her witness visited the bank and the trustee's office. In consequence of what he heard witness visited accused and asked for a reference. She said she could give none, but offered to give some title deeds as security. From a cash box she produced a parchment, which turned out to be a life policy for £150 on the life of James Ledgerwood, which had since been claimed by the owner and returned to him. Witness de- | manded his goods back, and recovered a gold watch, cake basket, teapot, biscuit box, dressing case, aud the silver spoons, but not the other things. Witness then communicated with the police, and issued a warrant for her arrest, which was executed in witness' presence. Accused had always been known to witness as Mrs Ann Cruickshauk. Some of the other things were found in her lodgings, but there was still £58 worth missing which accused would give no account of.— Accused asked no questions throughout the case. Edmund Smith, agent in Dunedin for tho public trustee, deposed that on the sth insti. accused came to his office, and asked if the public trustee would be prepared to take charge of £1500 on behalf of a boy now at school at Timara. Fall derails were gone into by accused, who gave the name of Mrs Cruicksbank, and said she would cxtcuto a trust deed &hor£ly. Nothing was heard of the money, however. — Norman Matthew Forfcepcuo Preston, assistant accountant at tho Bank of New Zealand, deposed that on the 22nd inst. the bank received a letter signed Ann Crnickfihank, asking if there were any special days for discounting bills from the publio trustee. Witness replied, using paper and envelope marked with the bank stamp. Accused had no money in tho bank, and was not known there. — Isabella Ledgerwood, wife of James LedgerwooO, of Lower York place, knew accused as Mrs; Cruickshank. Accused stayed with witness about a month. Witness was present when aocused was arrested, and handed Chief-detective Henderson a quantity of jewellery. None of this had been given to witness, nor was-'it in her, care. Next day witness handed to Mr Dawson a gold chain which accused had given witness' son. Witness had only received £2 in payment of accused's board. Accused had ordered furniture, and at the time of her arrest the house was being altered to suit her convenience. She said abe had inherited money, and talked of parchasing the house, and had plans and specifications prepared for alterations. — James Ledgerwood, of Lower York place, said the life policy had been left in a cashbox whioh his wife had lent accused. This was missed, and afterwards recovered from Mr Dawson.— Chief-detective Henderson deposed to the arrest of accused and the recovery of those goods that were then obtained. She gave the name of Margaret Mary Belinda Todd.— ln reply to the usual question, accused said ehe reserved her defence. She was then committed for trial at the next criminal sitting of the Supreme Court at Dunedin.

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