"A NATIONAL FAILING."

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 167, 18 July 1927, Page 5

"A NATIONAL FAILING."

PASSING VALUELESS CHEQUES

A YOUNG MAN'S FOLEY.

ADMITTED TO PROBATION".

A recent arrival in Auckland irom Hawke's Bay Ronald Robert McLeod (•Jo). found himself in the deck at the Police Court this morhing, when he admitted having obtained il from Aurora Donn McWilliam and from Ernest Cecil Johnston by mean- o; valueless cheques.

Mr. Denniston appeared for McLeod

"This young man Mine from Napier aad went t<> stay at a place in Welle-ley Street,'' said Senior Detective Hammond. 'Tie ran up a bill tor to with his landlady and then gave her a cheque for £3 receiving some money as change. Later oil he tendered a cheque for il. and both, on being presented at the bank. were returned marked 'Referred to drawer.' His landlady then spoke to him about the matter, ami McLeod assured her that e\erything would be all right. She then accepted another cheque i<>r £7. but thin was fraudulent too. This young man has also been having some joy rides in taxis in Auckland, paying for them with a valueless che'jue. lie is separated from his wife and has been having a good time up here."

Mr. Hammond explained to the Court that although McLeod was only charged with the two offences, the total amount o't restitution to be made was £14 o-ti.

"These offences all took place within a short period, and are a series of acts of follv," said counsel for McLeod. "McLeod had never been in any trouble previously, and was only a young man. He had a bank account, and expected money to lie deposited in his account by his mother —the proceeds of furniture sold on his behalf. It was a stupid, foolish outburst on his part, and he <*ould have got the money had he telegraphed for it. Of course, he should have made sure that the money was in the bank before he issued the cheques

nstead of flying kites for himself

Mr. Denniston appealed for lerhr.cy. and suggested that McLeod might he admitted to probation. He could ultra in money with which to make full restitution this afternoon.

McLeod was fined £■"> on the first charge and admitted to twelve months' probation <>n the second.

Regarding counsel's application for suppression of accused- name, the magistrate. Mr. -T. \V. Povnton. said: "Xn: I will not make such an order. Passing valueless cheques is a national failing of ours, and such persons should be known."