PETERSFIELD.
A PAIR OF SWINDLERS.—The following particulars of a swindling case, which has just occurred in this neighbourhood, may serve as a caution to farmers and tradesmen. It appears that a few weeks ago two men, who represented themselves as Charles and James Mason, keepers of the George Inn, Petersfield, called on Mr. Powell, farmer, of Headley, and entered into a bargain for the purchase of four porkers, on which they paid a deposit of 5s., promising to pay the remainder, amounting to £4 15s, on the following day. The purchase was duly completed, and the men then stated that they were recommended to Mr. Powell by Mr. Etherington, auctioneer, of Petersfield, as they wanted to buy half a score of fat ewes. Having this number to dispose of, and believing their statement to be correct, Mr. Powell agreed to sell the ten sheep at 33s. per head, and the men at once paid a deposit of 15s., promising to pay the remainder on the following Monday, and giving a note, badly written, to that effect. They then called on a man named Glazier, of whom they desired to purchase a quantity of potatoes. He requested immediate payment, but on being assured by one of the customers that he had £13 in his pockets, and would pay as soon as the potatoes were loaded, Glazier allowed the potatoes to be placed in a van and two carts, which, with the horses, were loaded, one of the men walked coolly into the seller's room, and informed him that he had only 13s. in his possession, but that the full amount should be forwarded the next day. The potatoes, which were worth £9 12s. 6d. were accordingly taken away. The men also obtained sixty bushels of potatoes from a man named Madgwick, of Shotter Mill, under similar pretences, and also some porkers from a farmer named Scragg. It is needless to add that in neither case has the money been paid, and the statements respecting Mr. Etherington were false, the party being entirely unknown to that gentleman. The real names of the men who thus succeeded in obtaining property to the value of about £50 from one district, are said to be Charles Stubbs and George Tull, the latter of whom has undergone twelve months’ imprisonment at Winchester for stealing fowls or turkeys, and they are at present supposed to be residing in or about Portsmouth. Information has been forwarded to the police, together with a description of the men, and it is hoped that the system of dealing in which they appear to have indulged will in future be stopped.
(The print of this paper was extremely difficult to read, so there may well be some transcribing errors.)