MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1482, 12 September 1865, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

CHBISTCHUECH.

f (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., 8.M.)

Mondat, Sbpt. 11,

Pkukkabds' List.—Robert English and James Tart, aZi<is John Foster, were charged wit h having been'drunk and disorderly. There was another charge against Foster, namely, that of resisting the police in the execution of their duty. The former was fined 10$, and the latter 20s.

Fobgebt a HI) Uttering.—Samuel Corrigan was charged with this offence. William Calvert stated : lama tin-smith, residing in High street, Christchurch. I know the prisoner by sight, I saw him in my shop on or about August 27. I have had no previous acquaintance with him. He came to my shop and gave an order for some " billies," to be sent to Mr. Smith, the contractor. He saidthat Mr. Smith'had sent him to me. He produced a cheque, and asked me if I could cash it. I advanced him £2 on the cheque, which he endorsed with the name of John Bailey. I asked why he signed it with tho name of John Bailey when the cheque was in favour of William Bailey ? Ho replied that it belonged to hie brother. He went away, saying that he would return for the balance of the money. Two days afterwards, ho again came to my place. Having had an interview with Mr. Macdonald, of the Bank of New Zealand, I refused to give him the j balance. About 20 minutes to 10 con. he came | again, I told him that there was a dispute about the signature, and that if he would come to the bank with me we might see Mr. Macdonald. W® went to the bank and saw Mr. Macdonald, In the interim I had learned that his name was Corrigan; 1 told him so; ho denied this. On Mr. Macdonald's miostioning him about the writing, he said that jJr. Smith had been drinking when he wrote the cheque, and that his hand was not steady, or words to that effect. I did not see the ohoquo on this occasion. I should have mentioned that the morning on which I got the ehequo I took it to the bank and received the money. A. Craeroft Wilson, stated: I am a toller in tho Bank of New &>aland. I saw the cheque now produced on Aug. 28. It was presented across the counter by the last witness, I cashed it, and gave him the money. Immediately afterwards I thought it was a forged one. Mr. John Smith has an account at the bank. I know his signature. Tho handwriting on the cheque is a good imitation. Ido not believe that tho signature is genuine. I remember Mr. Calvert coming to the bank with some one who he said had given him the cheque. I cannot say that tho prisoner was the man. John Smith: lam a contractor with the Government on the West Coast road. I know the prisoner; ho was in my employment on the works at Arthur « pass. 1 discharged him about a fortnight or three weeks ago. His wages were paid. I nover signed the cheque produced. I never saw it until it was shown to me in the Bank of New Aialand on Friday last. I havo issued a cheque of tho samo number as that on tho one No ." 69 > bat > I afterwards burned it. No portion of tho cheque in Court o handwriting. The prisoner's name is Samuel Corrigan. I never heard him called f w sbl°i5 bl °i Mulli,ls ! 1 '""rested the prisoner at Woodend, on bunday night, at 10 p.m., under authority of the warrant produced. I read Tin «bTi 10 hlm, ,? iv l ir JS tho usual caution. Ho asked Sergeant Buckley, in my presence, whether the proseoutor would ho allowed to withdraw tno chargo m case ho choso to do so ? The pri,mftko ftn ? dement, *nd was S^oA Uml ■' "" »f «>»