A Queer Case.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume IX, Issue 1200, 28 February 1902, Page 2

A Queer Case.

A queer case of trust was investigated at tho Wellington Magistrate's Court last week before Mr W. P. James, S.M. Oscar Millar was charged with having obtained £5 10s from James Mackay Newton, by false pretences with intent to defraud him. The evidence for the prosecution set forth that Newton was a whisky merchant in PaDama Street, and that Miller introduced himself to witness as being influential at the Wellington Club. Miller suggested that be might introduce Newton’s wlnskvinto the club, and got samples from Newton, by whom the sampling was done was not brought out in the evidence, but it seemed that not trade resulted. The friendship established on this unsubstantial basis allegedly ripened into trustfulness. Miller spoke to Newton about Sir George Clifford, Sir George was in particular friend of Miller’s and Millar had given Sir George £ll to invest on anything be thought

“ deadly.” Newton was offered a chance to get on to the “ good thing” aud lie “ came at it ” straight away witli £2. Miller at onfce rang up by telephone a placs said to bathe Wellington Club, and informed a suppositions Sir George Cliffird (whom he called 11 Mr Clifford”! that a friend of his iMiller'si had gone in shares with him in the investment Sir George was going to make on Miller's behalf. Subsequently Newton advanced other sums on this prospect and brought the total up to £5 10s. After the races were over Miller told Newton that he had a difficulty in finding Sir George Clifford. He had wagered it himself and lost it. About this time the detectives came into the case, and shortly afterwards Miller told Newton that if the latter would let him off a prosecution he would refund Newton £5 10s within two hours. Accused made a statement to the Court to the fact that he never represented that Sir George Clifford would put any money on for him. He never got money from Newton on that representation. He would reserve his defence, and ask that he be tried by jury. He was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court, bail being allowed in two surilies of £SO. and accused's own bond of a like amouut.