WALLET OF NEWSPAPER

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 14

WALLET OF NEWSPAPER

LABOURER LOSES £45. TRICKED IN~MELBOURNE. On the voyage on the steamer Karoola, which arrived at Melbourne from Perth on January 31, John Marsland, farm labourer, who was travelling to New Zealand, became acquainted, with a man, and with this man he left the Karoola at North Wharf foi- the city early in the morning. Mr. Marsland intended to obtain some New Zealand notes before continuing his journey. On the way to the city the man produced a bulky wallet, and said, “My pocket is torn. Hold this for me, but be careful, because it is valuable.” The mau remarked that he had a brother in Henty House, Little Collins Street, who could exchange Australian notes for New Zealand notes at a price lower than the ruling rate of exchange. They went to Henty House, and Maraland, remaining outside, handed the man £45 in notes. Becoming suspicious when the man did not return after a considerable timej Marsland opened the wallet. It contained sheets of a Melbourne newspaper. Mr. Marsland, who was continuing his voyage to New Zealand, was left with £4 and his,passage ticket.

Plain-clothes police investigating the theft were informed that a suspected man was aboard the steamer Onniston, which left Melbourne for Sydney.