PHANTOM SHIP COMEDY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19365, 23 July 1925, Page 7

PHANTOM SHIP COMEDY

SCOTS TRADESMEN GULLED. ‘SMUGGLED GOODS.’ How a number of Falkirk (Stirlingshire) tradesmen were duped by a swindler is revealed by the police search for a man named George Milne, or George Milne Porter, savs the London Daily Mail. The wanted man is said to have made off with a haul of £5OO, but the total amount is believed to be much larger, as many of his victims, rather than exhibit themselves in the aspect of credulous dupes, have denied any dealings with him. Milne is 27 years of age and is well known to the police of both Scotland and England, having already been sentenced to a term of penal servitude at the Old Bailey. Posing as a commercial traveller, Milne told several Falkirk tradesmen that he was interested in a vessel which bore the name s.s. Phantom and which was about to arrive at Cardiff with a large quantity of smuggled goods. BARGAINS IRRESISTIBLE. Milne said the traders could havp these at a cheap rate provided they observed the utmost secrecy and paid cash with the order. The bargains he offered included: Ceylon tea, Is Per lb.; Sugar (soft), 24d per lb.; Coffee, Is per lb. tin; Cigarettes (common brands), Is 6d per tin of 50; Havana and half Corona cigars, 8s per box of 50; Johnnie Walker wiskey, £3 12s per dozen case; Martell’s Three Star brandy, £4 16s per dozen case. Crepe de Chine, Is 6d per yard; Japanese silk, Is 6d per yard; Navy blue cloth, 5s per yard with strip; Skunk and fox furs, 3 and 4 guineas each. Many traders could not resist the chance of securing such bargains, and gave Milne orders with cash down. Shortly after he disappeared and has not been seen since. Needless to add, the s.s. Phantom has amply justified its nama. /