N.S.F.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 7

N.S.F.

VALUELESS CHEQUE ISSUED. CANVASSER IN TROUBLE. REMANDED FOR SENTENCE. "N.5.F.," or "not sufficient funds," was what a city bank clerk wrote on a cheque for payment last month. As a result, the man who issued the document, Earl John Conrad Craven, aged 24, a salesman, appeared, at the Police Court this morning, when he ..pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining £3 from Frederick Styles, on October 15, by means of a valueless cheque. Mr. Alan Smyth represented accused. Chief Detective Hammond said Craven presented a valueless cheque to Mr. Styles and obtained £3. Unfortunately he also cashed valueless cheques at two city hotels. Accused was arrested at Dargaville. He had an account at the bank, but knew there were no funds there to meet the cheque. Craven had been before the Court previously for false pretences.

"This case is not as serious as might first appear," said counsel. Craven never had much in the banK, but had an account for some time past. Several times cheques he had issued were not met when first presented, but he always paid in sufficient to cover them. In the present case accused took the risk. . He was not quite sure he had sufficient funds to meet the chequc, so he wrote to the bank manager.

Mr. Hunt: Not so long ago ho sei'ved one month's Imprisonment for broach of probation.

Mr. Smyth said that was for failure to report to the probation officer. Since then Craven had been reportirig regularly. Craven was now in a good position, canvassing the North Auckland province for a reputable firm— Mr. Hunt: Canvassing from door to door with picture frames or something like that. A man with hardly any money should not be allowed to open an account at a bank-

Staff Captain Holmes, of the Salvation Army, stated that he had known Craven for many years. His people were well connected, respectable residents' of Palmerston North. They had a grocery business on the Square. "I wish he was on the square," said the magistrate, who then. asked Mr. Campbell, the probation officer, what he thought of the case. Mr. Campbell said he would have to charge Craven with breach of probation, as he had pleaded guilty to"the present offence. He would write to Wellington for instructions. Craven was remanded until December 5 for sentence. Mr. Smyth suggested that as Craven had a good position which he would lose if he was remanded In custody, he might be allowed his liberty in the meantime. Mr. Hunt: I'm to .let him loose to badger people from door to door selling picture frames? . Counsel said such was a legitimate occupation. : "It is, but I wish it was not," replied Mr. Hunt. "Often when I am at home for an afternoon, I am bothered almost every half hour by these men." Craven was allowed his liberty provided he reported himself daily, to; the probation officer.