ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES AND FORGERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 247, 18 October 1893, Page 8

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES AND FORGERY.

JAS. FERGUSON MORRISON BEFORE THE POLICE COURT,

At the Police Court to-day, before Dr. Giles, K.M., cix different charges of false •pretences and forgery were broughtagainsb a man named James Ferguson Morrison. James Ferguson Morrison was charged that on or about the 15th of September, 1893, ab Arch Hill, ha did unlawfully and knowingly by false pretence, obtain of and from Mary Ross, one gold diamond ring, value £20, the property of Edward Smith, by pretending that he had authority to obtain possession of the ring from Mary Ross, with intent thereby to choatand defraud. Accused, a respectable-looking man, was undefended. Mary Rose, residing at Monmouth-street, Arch Hill, deposed that about half-paab two o'clock on the afternoon of the 15bb September accused came to her house ar>d told her thab he had come from Mrs Smith's, ab Waipu. He had bought land ab Waipu, and was up in town on business. Mrs Smith was a particular friend of witness', consequently 6he asked accused into her house. Accused told witness thab Mrs Smith had aaked him to bring down her diamond ring. Witness asked accused why Mrs Smith had not written herself. Accused said thab Mrs Smith could not write as her hand was bad. Witness gave him the ring, which she believed to be of the value of £25. Witness again saw the accueed at 9 o'clock on the same evening, when he told her thab he had left the ring with Mr NathaD, who was to give him £12 for it. Accused said he did not think that £12 was enough for the ring. Accused remained at the house of witness until the 22nd. He wont away after breakfast on that day and did nob return. In the evening witness wrote to Mra Smith, and on receipt of a telegram she communicated with the police. Accused was v stranger to witness. The witness in answer to a queßtion by Dr. Giles said she did not know how accused became aware thab witness had tho ring.

Sarah Duff, sister of the first witness, deposed to seeing her sister give the ring to accused. Sho was presont when accused camo to the house. Witness generally corroborated the evidence of her sister. Ann iMaria Smith, of Tangihua (Whangarei country) deposed that she had known the accused since May last. He had been in her husband's employ, and lived and had his meals with them. Accused loft their place on the Bth of September. On ono occasion witnoss told accused that she had [ a diamond ring valued at £25, and a friend in Auckland was trying to sell it for her. Witness did nob recollect telling accused thab Mrs Rosa had tho ring. She gave accused no authority to call on Mrs Ross for the ring. Witness identified the ring and valued it at £20. Bernard Goldwator, pawnbroker, Vic-toria-street, identified the accused. He deposed that he pawned tho ring on tho 19th September for £4, and witnoss subsequently aiso gave him 10s. Accused gave the name of Smith. Detective Chrystal deposed thab he arrested accused on October iJtb on another charge. On the way to the station witness told accused thab he would also be charged with obtaining a ring from Mrs Smith by false pretoncos. Accused told him tnat he pawned the ring at Goldwater's for £4 10s. Witness got the ring at Gooldwater's, being accompanied by accused. The accused was further charged thab on or aboub the 16th September at Auckland he did forge a certain cheque, drawn on the Bank of New Zealand (Uargaville), for paymenb of £3 Is, and the same did utter with intent to cheat mid defraud. , The accused reserved his defence and was committed to stand his trial at the nexb criminal sessions of the Supreme Courb,