THE COURTS.-TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 14001, 6 March 1909, Page 8

THE COURTS.-TO-DAY.

CITY POLICE COURT.

(Before H. Y. Widdowson, Esq., S.M.) Drunkenness,—A first offender (who did not appear) was fined 5s or twenty-four hours. Joseph Smith pleaded guilty, and was fined 20s or seveu days. False Pretences.—Charles John MTntosh was cluuged that on February 25, at Wingatui, with intent to defraud by means of false pretences—to wit., by representing two altered totalisator tickets to be tickets on Count Gorton, the second placed horse of the sixth race on that day—he did attempt to obtain by such false pretences the sum of £5 ss. Mr Hawkins appeared for M'lntosh, who pleaded guilty, and elected to be dealt with summarily.—Chiefdetective Herbert- explained the circumstances of M’lntosh’s action. It appeared that MTntosh had purchased two tickets on the fifth race on No. II horse on the card. Then when Count Gorton, also No. 11 on the sixth race, ran second, paying a dividend of £2 11s fid, M’lntosh altered the tickets by changing the figure 5 into 6, and presented them for payment. On examination the fraud was detected by the pay clerk. MTntosh had made a statement to a detective, in which be admitted making the alteration in a weak moment. There was nothing known against M'lntosh. His offence was not an uncommon one at race meetings.—Mr Hawkins said that M’lntosh, who bore an irreproachable character, was quite, unable to explain why he did the act. Publicity would in itself be severe punishment to MTntosh, and a hard blow to his wife. The fraud was a clumsy one, and suggested that there was no premeditation.— Testimony was given as to MTntoeh’s excellent character by William Fraser Edmond and Charles William Rattray, whose knowledge of MTntosh extended over ten years.—Mr Widdowson hoped that MTntosh understood how mean and despicable was the act he had committed. It was fortunate for him that he bore an excellent character, otherwise he (Mr Widdowsqn) would have been inclined to send him to gaol. In the circumstances he would be fined £5.