CONFIDENCE MAN WAS AT WORK AGAIN IN CITY, BUT RUSE DID NOT SUCCEED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18941, 11 December 1929, Page 10

CONFIDENCE MAN WAS AT WORK AGAIN IN CITY, BUT RUSE DID NOT SUCCEED.

Gave Land Agent Authority to Sell a Non-Existent Methven Farm

A confidence man recently selected Mr Phillip Best, °f Best s Land Agency, 201, Colombo Street, as a posSt t l s Vlctlm : He approached Mr Best, under the name of A. H . Richards , giving him a three months* authority to sell a non-existent farm at Methven. He then pitched a temporary hard up ’ tale and requested an advance on the strength of the farm. Mr Best, however, had his suspicions and turned the proposition down.

A prospective purchaser was sent out to inspect the property, and the suspicions of Mr Best were discovered to be well founded—no one in the district had heard of the man Richards or of anyone of that name. According to Mr Best, the proposition put up by the man was most attractive—too attractive in fact. He told his story in convincing fashion, however. The details jotted down by Mr Best at the dictation of Richards were- ” Peel Forest Road, about five and a half miles from Methven; farm 3CO acres of medium land divided into eight paddocks, well watered with springs and races; 50 acres in oats, 30 in rape and grass, with the balance in grass. Bungalow of six rooms on the property, ioughc&st, tiled roof, all conveniences, etc. Land all well fenced. As a going concern £2O per acre; carrying 2ZO

I lambs and 300 ewes, 10 head of cattle and 8 horses. Deposit of £IOOO, balance in five years at 6 per cent.” The man was quite young, so far as Mr Best can remember, clean shaven, fair and dressed in a blue suit. He would recognise him if he saw him i again. There was something strange about the man, and Mr Best thought he was not quite normal. j “ Try The Fishing.” | One of his tales was that there was good trout fishing on his farm, and he invited Mr Best out to try his luck. He said he had just sold a Willys Knight car, and had purchased a 1930 Buick. He w r as in town for the cDy only, and had neglected to bring any cash with him. He did not press the matter of a loan, remarking that it would be all right. He would get it from his agents in the city.