HIS LITTLE JOKE

Waikato Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2441, 8 September 1921, Page 5

HIS LITTLE JOKE

THE “CAPTAIN’S” RUSE

IMPOSTOR IN CHRISTCHURCH

Certain members of society in Christchurch have reason to regret the appearance amongst them of one claiming to be a captain in the British Army Also, there are several business . firms whose coffers in these sufficiently hard days are the poorer for his advent (says the Sun). Coming here with excellent credentials—which he vouched for personally --—the gallant captain boasted of a very talented member of the English stage as his sister, and told how ill-health had compelled his soj urn overseas for recuperation. Admitted to the homes of many Christchurch citizens, he became the object of admiration even for marriageable misses, and at jazz and other dances his card was soon filled. Then came word of the death of his brother at the hands of rioters in Ireland. Of course the brother had much to do with steel works in England, and steel magnates are worth money. Naturally, the brother’s fortune was left to the captain, whose intrinsic value increased, as time wore on, and his circle of acquaintances widened. His story that ho was interested in business enterprises also “went big,” and the captain did not starve. Again he had a substantial-win in Tattersalls, and who wouldn’t lend money on the strength of that? However, his finances commenced to dwindle painfully, and, much concerned, the captain told a money-lender that his losses at poker the previous evening. amounted to £4O, and a temporary loan on his car which he didn’t possess—would help. He got the money. From another business man he borrowed £7, and used the lender’s telephone to book a table at an hotel for dinner. That was at 4 o’clock in.the afternoon. At 5 o’clock he was on his way to Lyttelton, and eventually reached Sydney. Where he is now numbers are curious to know. It is stated that valueless cheques from a cheque-book not his own assisted the captain a good deal.