A BAREFACED SWINDLE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 9138, 15 June 1880, Page 2

A BAREFACED SWINDLE.

TO THE KDITOJR. Sib, — Allow me, through the medium of your valuable columns, to wonder on' paper at the seeming laxity of our laws relating to roguery of the most unblushing type. My story rums thus — About [ three weeks ago a genius, with his better-half, arrived in this town, and the worthy pair lost no time in announcing — with the utmost suavity and barefaced front — their 'intention of starting" in business. Besides speaking of ' his splendid aptitude for trade, he affected the most • supremo indifference as to whether he wag supplied with stock here, or whether he sent to Wellington, where he had dealt so many years. However, to keep the money in the place, he managed to get, 'to my knowledge, upwards of £60 credit from the various tradesmen and shopkeepers of this place. One of them, whose work was to be cash, smelt a rat, and summoned our worthy friend. The case came on last Friday, and our hero meekly confessed judgment, and complained to the plaintiff, with tears in his virtuous eyes, that he was too severe, and asked for just a kelletime till Mon* day to pay the amount, which was given. But mark the move ; on the Friday night after dark, the lynx eye of the prosecutor observed an express at the worthy man's door, loading with furniture, which was carted to one of our auction marts. The plaintiff summoned another of the man's dupes, who both quickly returned to the scene of spoliation and there found another express in waiting, and tho parties inside coolly packing up the whole contents oE the shop, to be transferred.' to the railway station — I presume, to be ready for the morning train for fresh fields. These two victims kept watch that the train did not take the goods in the morning, and ere the starting time of the next train the whole was in the hands of the bailiff. Now, sir, it seems hard the law cannot reach criminally a pair like the above, whose presence would grace any gaol in New Zealand. If this offence is hot swindling, it is, -,in my opinion, very much, like it. The niaa has boasted since he came here that all the money he had on his arrival here was seven shillings and sixpence. — I am, &c, One op the Victims. Wanganui, 14th June. Behind a bar iv one of the principal public-houaes in Brooklyn is hung a large placard— " No discussion about the Beacher-Tilton trial is allowed in this, establishment;,"