CHARGES OF SWINDLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9911, 28 July 1910, Page 1

CHARGES OF SWINDLING.

MONEY OBTAINED ON PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.'

On JllllO 8 the following advertisement appeared in tlio " Wanted" columns of the " Lyttelton Times " : Wanted, Superior Young Lady as housekeeper to gentleman, sheepfarmer, South Canterbury. Apply Waiting, G.P.0., Chnstehurch. This unsuspicious-looking advertisement drew a goodly number of replies from ladies who desired employment of the type mentioned, arid many of the applicants were honoured with a reply, in which the advertiser set forth that h© was the proprietor of a station at Rakaia. Two of tho applicants, both of whom are widows, state that tlie advertiser corresponded witli them at considerable length. He gained their confidence entirely and then began to obtain from them money and valuables. From 0110 lady lie received £U> in cash, a gold watch valued at £lO, and some jewellery, while from the' other ho obtained £3 in casih and a gold watch, valued at £lO. He offered marriage to the lady from whom he had obtained tho largest sum, and the marriage, at his suggestion, was to have taken place yesterday. On Tuesday, however, he wrote to his affianced bride, stating that owing to the sudden and dangerous illness of his mother ho would have to leave Christchurch for Wellington that night. The letter found its way into the hands of the police, and last evening Detective M'Leod arrested a man on the steamer Mararoa at Lyttelton and charged him with having obtained money and valuables by means of false pretences.