AN EXPERT FENCER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16823, 23 August 1920, Page 9

AN EXPERT FENCER.

EARNS £IOO IN A DAY. A TAIHAPE SENSATION., TAIHAPE, August 17. _ There strolled into tiio town of Taihapo on Saturday h hatmlcss-looking gentleman, who was dressed befitting llu> falling ho professed to follow—a fencer. fie was bearded and wore a ml handkerchief about ids neck. Strolling into a ban!;, he informed the officials "that he intended to open an account, lie deposited £1 and asked for ii cheque book. This was supplied, and the fencer quietly proceeded to stroll round town and make a few purchases. He was methodical in his methods and hud taken the precaution of ringing several firms up last week and pricing various goods. When ho presented iiimself on Saturday lie was welcomed eagerly by the shopkeeper to whom ho had already introduced himself over the ’phono. Ho gave out that he find been fencing for Mr. F. J. Lysuar, of Gisborne, who recently purchased the Waionru station, and had earned good money. His purchases ranged from a suit of clothes to a clod:, and in each instance he tendered im payment a cheque for £lO bearing the signature F. J. Dsynar and endorsed “Fencing.” Altogether, tho quiet and unassuming fencer visited some ton tradespeople, and in each instance paid for tho purchase with an identical cheque for £lO hearing the signature “F. J. Lysnar.” In one shop tho cheque was taken to the office by tho salesman. “He’s all right,” smilingly declared the manager. “He’s just bought AVaiouru station.” One Chinese fruiterer was fleeced of £ll, and tho fencer, as ho did in most instances. asked that the goods bo sent on to him. The only instance in which loss was prevented was in the case of tho manager of Mr. T. E. Thomas’ Taihapo branch. Not being at all satisfied regarding the bona lidos of tho stranger, this manager rang up the bank. He got the reply that the money was not there yet, but would bo deposited on Monday morning. Tho manager ran his man to ear.ih and told him that there were no funds at tho bank to moot the cheque. “There should be,” replied tho shepherd. “However, I have some money on mo which does not belong to me. 1 will lot you have your money out of that.” Tho shepherd did so, and strolled out of the town tho richer by about £IOO, and -ome valuable goods. This week there are about a dozen’ wiser but sadder business men in Taibnpe to whom it is not safe to oven whisper the subject of fencing. The forgcries”vere very cleverly done, each cheque being written in clear jogi ble characters and the figures filled in in business-like fashion.