SEVEN MONTHS’GAOL

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20282, 17 April 1934, Page 9

SEVEN MONTHS’GAOL

Heavy Sentences on Young Man. FRAUD AND THEFT. Sentences totalling seven months were imposed on Dennis Edwards, a labourer, 25 years of age, who pleaded guilty in the Police Court this morning to a charge of incurring a debt of £8 Is with Louisa Rhoda Lewis by fraud, and not guilty to a charge of converting to his own use a motor-car valued at £220, the property of Edward James M’Donald Rountree, and to a charge of stealing 2s, the property of Air Rountree. Chief-Detective Dunlop said that the accused stayed at the Federal Hotel under the name of Marcus Rutherford, saying that his father was general manager of the Pacific and Orient Steamship Line. He had no money to pay his bill when asked to do so. Posed as Reporter. About the beginning of February accused met Mr Rountree, who he discovered was interested in Maori curios. Posing as a reporter representing a city newspaper, he informed Mr Rountree that he was also interested in Maori art, and Mr Rountree invited him to his home in Marshland to see his collection. Accused got into Mr Rountree’s car and the pair set out for Marshland. On the way Mr Rountree drew up at a shop to pay an account, and then remembered that he hj*d f. or S°tten to get some meat from the city. The accused volunteered to drive back and get it. Mr Rountree him 2s to pay for the meat and Edwards drove off, but failed to return. The car was later found at the railway station and accused was interviewed by Detective N. Thompson. Mr Rountree, a dairy farmer at Marshland, gave evidence of meeting Edwards, who posed as a reporter. The accused from the dock denied that he had been given 2s by Mr Rountree. He had told Mr Rountree * j* ~ l° r k°tten an appointment and Mr Rountree had insisted that he should drive back to the city to endeavour to cancel the engagement. Living by his Wits. “ You have been trying to live bv your wits for some years," said Mr Mosley, in sentencing accused. On the first charge, Edwards was sentenced to four months' imprisonment with hard labour, and on the witlTwd mo " ths ’ imprisonment hard labour, the sentences to be cumulative. On the third charge sentenced to 24 hours' imprison!