ALLEGED CONSPIRACY

Southland Times, Issue 19124, 17 December 1923, Page 9

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY

PECULIAR AUCTIONEERING METHODS. ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. Peculiar auctioneering methods were alleged in the Police Court, Auckland, when Clarence Russell (38) and James Henry Abrahams (24) were charged with having conspired to defraud Jefferson Davis Edwards of £195 and Alexander Percy Young of £193. Two charges of having obtained money by false pretences by representing that it would be returned were also preferred against them. Edwards stated that he went into the Central Auction Mart in Queen Street, where Abrahams asked him to assist in boosting the bidding to advertise the auction. He was assured his money would be returned after the sale. There was little competition and Abrahams stood at his elbow urging him to call out bids periodically. A variety of articles, a large part being of the familiar imitation cheap-jack quality, were knocked down to him. Edwards paid £6O for alleged silver articles valued later at £5/10/-. The total payments amounted to £195 in cheques. When witness asked for his money back, accused denied all knowledge of the arrangement for its return. Young gave similar evidence, spying that Abrahams whispered to him: “The next item will be wristlet watches. I’ll catch your eye for one.” Witness continued: “He caught my eye and it cost me £3.” Witness obtained binoculars worth £2/10/for £3O and an apparently worthless ring and marble clock for £lOO. Witness paid £245 in cheques and on a refund being refused, went to the bank where he discovered that cheques amounting to £193 had already been cashed. He stopped payment of the remainder and shortly afterwards received £lOO through the post from Russell without an explanation. Another witness said he tendered £5 in payment for a watch which he bought for £2. He received no change but a cake of shaving soap, razor and strop and pocket wallet were thrust upon him. Accused pleaded “not guilty,” reserved their defence and were committed for trial, bail being allowed in £4OO each.