Y. Chalmers, on charges of fraud in connexion with bogus insurance companies, opened at LIH. M. Supreme Court on Wednesday before his Honour Judge Grain, and a composed _of Messrs.
W. Skinner, F. B. Piteairn, 1). Fawcett, H. B. Woodford and E. Noakes.
The amended charges against the accused were, that they on divers days between April 5 and July 11, 1922, at Shanghai, conspired together and. with other ° persons unknown to defraud such persons as should be induced to pay money as premiums to the German American Five & Marine Insurance Ca., of Baltimore, and, or to the World Insu Underwriters, of Jersey Ci New Jersey, by false representations that the said companies were genuine fire insurance:
ies, contrary to common law.
was a second charge against Chalmers, that on or about July. 4, at. Hankow, he unlawfully, knowingly and designedly did falsely pretend to one Damials de la Vaga that he was then carrying on a genuine and bond fide business, to wit, that of an agent for two genuine and bond fide insurance companies, by means of which pretence he did on July 5, at Hankow, unlawfully obtain from de la Vaga the sum of $1,430, with intent to defraud, whereas in truth and in fact he did not then carry on the genuine and bond fide business as agent for two genuine and bond. fide insurance companies, as he well knew at the time he did so pretend, contrary to the Larceny Act, sec. 31 (1).
Accused pleaded not guilty.
Mr. A. G. Mossop, acting Crown Advocate, conducted the pfosecution, and Mr. J. G. Priestwood appeared in defence of Chalmers.
Dirricutry or Direct Evivence.
In opening the case for the prosecution, Mr. Mossop first observed that it was rare for a charge of conspiracy to be proved by direct evidence. The evidence was gener-
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