“CAPTAIN MAIPAGANE.”

Temuka Leader, Issue 7569, 23 May 1914, Page 3

“CAPTAIN MAIPAGANE.”

AAIAZING CHARGE OF FRAUD. WALKING THE WORLD FOR WIFE AND £20,000 WAGER. Amazing allegations were made at Omagh against a man who is said to have represented himself as walking round tlio world for a wager of £2O,(KXJ ami a wife. Prisoner, Captain Lancelot Alalpagane, alias Captain Thacker, alias Captain Vano Tempest, was charged with obtaining money by false pretences. District Inspector Conlin said prisoner represented himself as a captain of tho United States cavalry, and the son of a millionaire. His custom was to obtain letters of introduction from mayors of cities, chairmen of urban councils, clergymen, an dother prominent people, and it was alleged that he obtained by this means large sums of money. Ho stated that he was touring the world for a wager of £20,000 and a witdf and that ho had to complete his journey and marry by 1917. He put up at the best hotels in each town, furnished himself with credentials of which most persons would be entirely unsuspicious, and so journeyed from place to place. T.ha Omagh police, however, became suspicious, with the result that “Captain Alalpagane” was arrested in Queem»town. Although charges of a similar nature had boon brought against prisoner in other places, he managed to retain possession of his books, and still used thtm. Ho had been in gaol for almost tne whole of 1912. —Prisoner: I object to that, your worship. lam not proved guilty yet.—Tho inspector said that in accused’s possession when he was arrested were photographs and some hundreds of letters from young Indies in England and Ireland offering him marriage.—The Chairman; Are yon going to charge him with getting possession of young women? (Laughter.)—Tho Inspector : I will charge him with making fraudulent statements, representing himself to he what ho is not in fact. I will prove that he is an ex-convict.—Prisoner : I object to that word being used entirely.—The inspector said tho warrant against accused charged him with .having obtained ss. by fraud from Joseph Al’Millan at Omagh, and several other sums irom other people.—Sergeant Sadlier, who proved the arrest, said prispner made a statement that if he gob out of tin's case he -,would blow up all those who were opposed to him sky high. When the books containing the signatures of several wellknown people were being handed in by witness, accused objected strongly on the grounds that proof should be adduced by the Crown as to the validity of the signatures. —The Chairman, in accepting and initiating the documents, remarked that they APPEARED TO BE “ (MAYOR'S’ NESTS.” —Joseph Al’Alillan, draper, and a member of the Y.AI.C.A., said accused called at tho Hall of the Association on January 17, stating that Lo was the son of an American millionaire touring the world for a wager and a wife, and produced credentials bearing out his statement. Amongst them were letters purporting to come Irom the mayors of Omagh and Derry, with tho city seals, and from tho Right Hon. Joseph. Chamberlain with the seal of the city of Birmingham. Prisoner indicated to those at the Hall that he was “stranded,” although ho did not ask directly for money. He informed them that an advice on a bank in Enniskillen awaited him, and that he could obtain £2OO when he reached 'that town. A collection was made for him by the members, something like 30s. being subscribed. “Alalpagano” then entertained the members with stories for some time, and informed them that ho had travelled through South Africa, ami told them of his adventures with lions. (Laughter.)—The Chairman: He did not say he met a gentleman called De Rougomont? (Laughter.)—No—Witness added that prisoner told a story that he walked through the Sahara Desert on one occasion for 13 days without food and four days without water. (Laughton) Ho showed thorn a mark beloiv nis eye, which ho said was caused by a lion, and explained that he saw two cubs in the i'orest/aud, being determined to get one, approached them with that object, when the old lion went for him. (Laughter.) These stories ho. told m a plausible and convincing way. Although prisoner said ho was a captain in the United States Army lie was dressed in the uniform of tho Boy Scouts. Witness gave him all tho money (hat lie had in his pocket at tho time.—The chairman asked prisoner ir fie would be represented by counsel, and “Alalpagane” replied that probably tho American Consul would engage one for him. Ho also said he intended to take an action against the Chief Constable (moaning the District-Inspector) of Omagh.—The case was adjourned.