LOOKED THE PART.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2031, 18 August 1920, Page 10

LOOKED THE PART.

MAN FROM "OUT BACK." VICTIMISES TRADESMEN. [Special to The Sun.] WANGANUI, August 18. Quite a number of business men in Taihape were badly taken down by a man who strolled into the town on Saturday. His dress was typical of those who live in the open country, and he said lie was a fencer. He was bearded and wore a red handkerchief about his neck. Going into the bank he informed the officials he intended to open an account, and deposited £l, and asked for a cheque book. This was supplied, and the fencer quietly proceeded to stroll round the town and make a few purchases. He was systematic in his methods, and had taken the precaution of ringing several firms up last week, and pricing various goods. When he presented himself on Saturday he was welcomed eagerly by the shopkeepers, to whom he had already introduced himself over the 'phone, lie gave out that he had been fencing for Mr F. J. Lysnar, of Gisborne, who recently purchased the Waiouru Station.

The man's purchases ranged from n suit of clothes to a clock, and in each instance he tendered in payment a cheque for £l6, bearing the signature "F. J. Lysnar, "and endorsed '' fencing.'' The adventurer went about his illicit business very systematically, and as a result got away "with over £IOO worth of goods, leaving about a dozen wiser and sadder men in Taihape, to whom it is not safe to whisper the word fencing. The forgeries are said to have been very cleverly done.