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Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 11

A trickster in Melbourne (says the “ Age ”) selected as the object of his imposition—not a country a isitor or a stranger to the city, but ail acquaintance of long standing. The latter, naturally indignant at such duplicity, notified the Detective Office. The method adopted was an old one—evidently tod well known to attempt on a casual fiiend. The victim was in Swauston Street when he was greeted with a hearty handshake and a “ How do you. cio.” He immediately recognised tlie man who had so warmly welcomed him, and a conversation followed, in tlie course of which the latter informed him that lie was practically “ down and out ” as for as. any financial stability was concerned. He produced a sample of blue twill, and said—in confidence, of course—that hq had four yards of it —more than a suit length—to dispose of for £2 10s. An appointment was made for h.ter in the evening, and was kept bv both parties. For a parrel neatly wrapped up in brown paper £2 10s was handed over. The purchaser departed, presumably elated, at the prospect of a. suit of clothes in the near future at a reasonable expenditure. On opening his parcel he found that its contents consisted of two old bags and an empty beer bottle. The police are searching for -he “ profiteer.”