RINGING THE CHANGES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14392, 6 January 1911, Page 3

RINGING THE CHANGES.

LOCAL SHOPKEEPERS) VICTIMISED. ;■' BY NOTORIOUS CHARACTERS, I It was made evident at tho Timarn ' Magistrate's Court yesterday morning when tho 'ringing tba changes' eases tamo up before Mr V. G. Day,;that tho local shopkeepers had been victimised by two rather notorious characters. Thomas Anderson and John Ryan appeared on remand to answer separate charges of stealing suras o£ ton shillings from Henry Patcman, from Amelia Sapwell, and from Alfred Ernest Dutt on December 30th; and pleaded guilty to all three charges. Sub-Inspector Green said that when the case came up first the accused had pleaded guilty to two of the charges,, and were then remanded in order that the police might make enquiries. The two im'ji had visited quite a number of shops in Timaru on December 80th, hut were only successful in three places, as tho swindle known as "ringing the changes" was pretty well known by everyone now. Ryan and Anderson, however, went to Bhops in hack streets where they thought tho people would not bo up to the dodgo. lioth had been before the Court before, and their antecedents wero anything but creditable. Anderson's proper nanio was Thomas Hussey, and he had already been convicted of drunkenness, breach of tho peace, and assault and robbery, receiving 13 months' imprisonment for' the last offence. On December 28th in Christchurch he was brought before tho I Court there on a similar charge to the present one, wliun he was convicted and discharged on the condition that lie paid expenses. Ryan was also a bad character, and was known as Owen Kelly alias Ciillen. Against ' him there were five previous convictions for theft, and he had served 18 months on two charges of breaking and entering. He Kvas last charged with theft in, Wcstport, when he got two. months' hard labour. Anderson had £2 13s fid in his possession when arrested, and Mr Butt find recovered his money from them shortly after it was stolen. Accused said they did not deny the previous convictions, and Ryan asked for leniency, saying ho would take care not to offend in future. His Worship: "That is the same old tale. I. will sentence bo+h accused to two months' with hard labour on each charge, the .sentences to be cumulative.