COURT NEWS

Grey River Argus, 18 August 1937, Page 8

COURT NEWS

VALUELESS CHEQUE FRAUD. [Per Press Association], PALMERSTON N., August 16. A sentence of three months’ imprisonment with hard labour was imposed on Ernest Arthur Johnstone, aged 23, a labourer, when he pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court, to a charge of obtaining £B/17/- at Napier by ; means of a valueless cheque. It was stated by the police that the accused, who was released from prison on another charge only a short time ago, went to Wairoa with a land agent, and made an offer of £25,000 for a station there. On returning to Napier he obtained a cheque form and paid for his board at an hotel with a valueless cheque and received the money stated in the charge. FALSE PRETENCES. CHRISTCHURCH, August 16. George Ray Percy, charged with fraudulently obtaining £B7/6/6 from the Department of Labour by false declarations between May, 1934, and November, 1936, was committed /.o the Supreme'’ Court for sentence. Bail was allowed. Evidence given by an official of the Labour Department, Reginald Owers, stated that Percy had received from the Department £B7/6/6 in excess of what he was entitled to, because he had failed to show on the appropriate forms that he had drawn money as compensation for an injury, and because he had represented that his children were younger than they really were. Detective James McClurg, who interviewed Percy, read a statement made by the accused last February admitting the offence. Accused said then that he would appear in Court the next day, but failed to appear. A warrant for his arrest was issued, and on July 28 he was arrested in Greymouth. It was stated that the charge would have to go to the Supreme Court, because the offences extended over a period of more than two years. ASSAULT BY WATERSIDER NEW PLYMOUTH, August 17. In the Supreme Court, this morning, before Mr. Justice Smith, John Russell Frazer, watersider, who pleaded guilty in the Lower Court, to assaulting Walter John Frazer, watersider, causing actual bodily harm, on board the Arawa, at New Plymouth, on August 5, was admitted to probation for two years, and was ordered to take out a prohibition order, pay £3 ss, costs of prosecution, and meet the medical expense.

GRAND JURY. NEW PLYMOUTH, August 16. Two presentments were made to Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court to-day by the Grand Jury, which was empanelled, though there were no criminal cases. The jury was addressed by his Honor, who explained its powers. The jury retired to consider its presentments, and returned to recommend that when it was known that there were no cases for a Grand Jury 48 hours before the Court sitting, notice should be given to jurors so that they could be excused. The jury also called attention to the unsatisfactory state of the Court buildings. “The first recommendation involves a modification, of the present system,” said his Honor. "It means, in effect, that when there are no cases for consideration, the Grand .Jury should be relieved of attendance. That does not seem practicable. However, both matters will be submitted to the right quarters.” EXTRAVAGANCE LEADS TO DISHONESTY. GISBORNE, August 17. Nine charges of theft and failing to acount for his employer’s money, were admitted by James Livingstone, 20, before Mr. Walton, S.M., the the total amount involved being nearly £5O. Detective Belton said the accused had been leading an extravagent life, spending a pound a day, and right from the commencement of his employment was dishonest, going from bad- to worse. Too much responsibility and bad companions were the causes assigned by counsel. Accused was remanded in custody. WOMAN'S CLAIM. WELLINGTON, August 16. Before the Chief Justice . (Sir Michael Myers and a jury of 12 in the Supreme Court to-day, the hearing commenced of a claim for £3228 5s damages, brought by a passenger in a motor-car that collided with a lorry at an intersection two miles from Masterton. The plaintiff is Mary Ann Clarke, a widow, of Matahiwi, and the defendant Frederick Allen, a carrier, of Upper Plain. Plaintiff alleged that the accident occurred through defendant’s negligence and lack of skill. Plaintiff suffered broken ribs, injuries to her stomach and liver, bruising, and wounds to her back and feet, loss of teeth, and injury to her heart. As a result, she claimed she would be permanently disabled and her life shortened. She claimed £228 5s special damages and £3OOO general damages.

Defendant denied that the collision was due to his negligence or lack of skill, and alleged that it was due to the negligence of plaintiff’s daughter, who was driving the car. The plaintiff’s case and the opening address for the defence were heard, and the Court adjourned until 10 a.rn. tomorrow.