An Extraordinary Case.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5847, 9 February 1887, Page 4

An Extraordinary Case.

♦ ALLEGED EXTENSIVE SWINDLING. (Per s.s. Tarawera, via the Bluff.) [By Telegraph] <. ifbom oub own correspondent.! INVERCARGILL, Feb." 8. An extraordinary eaee of alleged fraud was recently unfolded in the Melbourne Police Court, when Charleß August Smyth, an elderly man, who has, among other avocations, filled that of a local preacher, was charged with having obtained various sums, amounting to JE3700, by false representations from Thomas Retallick. The prosecutor depoted that he came to Victoria in June, 1885. He had been a farmer in England, and brought out about .£SOOO with him.. He was separated from his wife, but had left her ample means of support. A person who passed as his wife came out with him. On arrival in Melbourne, he went at once to the Victoria Coffee Palace. That night he went into the Bitting-room, and Baw several gentlemen playing cards. The prisoner was there also, and witness was pleased to Bee he did not play cards, although requested to do so. He considered Smyth was apparently a thinking man, and he was seized with a desire to know him. A few seconds afterwards Smyth was going out of the room, and witness said, " I would like to have a few minutes' talk with you." Smyth replied that he would be very pleased, aud Bat down by witness, who said, " I have just landed from a long and rough voyage, and have buried a little boy, five years old, at sea." Smyth, sympathising with him, replied, "We don't see things here that we will hereafter." Witness then made a confidant of Smyth, and told him tbat he had brought out —5000, with which he wished to buy a farm and work. Ho asked Smyth where would be the best place to place the money until an opportunity occurred to invest ifc. By Smyth's advice, witness placed the money in the English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank at five per cent for twelve months Soon after, witness found the Coffee Palace too expensive and went to lodgings. When he had been there a few days, Smyth came and asked him to go. to & missionary meeting in North Melbourne. Witness was only too glad to do, so, feeling grateful he had met a Godly > upright man. When Smyth insistea upon placing a shilling in the plate as usual, he contributed half a sovereign. They went of ten to meetings. Smyth told . wjiiqeis.he.. intended bringing his family and capital from Sydney and taking a houso. Until the family arrived, witness 1 and the prisoner occupied tbat house. They had prayers regularly e\ery night, > and from Smyth's conversation, witness believed him to be a truly Godly man. Witness would not have had dealings 1 with him had he known him to be a worldly man. Smyth stated about this time that he had come out to New Zealand seven years ago with JBl 1,000, and that he owned property iv New Zealand, and also at Ascot Vale. Whilst they were living together, Smyth borrowed J6200 from |witness. When Mrs Smyth i arrived from Sydney, witness and family went to live at a place in Gordon Park, i which he had bought, and he went to work i at 8s per day at a quarry. Several days later Smyth sent for him, and ! asked him to meet him at the Post-office 1 next day and bring a cheque book. They i met accordingly, and Smyth, pretending to read from a letter which he had just received, said that .£2OOO which he had en- ; trusted to a firm of Sydney solicitors to , invest had been lent on mortgage at 7_ per

cent. Notwithstanding this he had written to have the money returned, as he wanted to purchase a fruit business. He suggested that witness should take over the mortgage, and he agreed. Smyth said he wanted £800, and as witness was too much under Smyth's thumb to refuse, he wrote out a cheque for that amount. At this stage the case was adjourned for a week, accused being admitted to bail in £300, and his own recognisances of £500.