VALUELESS CHEQUES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 168, 15 June 1927, Page 8

VALUELESS CHEQUES.

ISSUED AT WOODVILLE. YOUNG MAN PLEADS GUILTY. Before Alessrs J. H. Stevens and W. H. AleKinnon, J.P.’s, Hector Vernon Penwarden, a carpenter, aged 27, was charged in the Police Court this morning with issuing at Woodville on April it), 1927, a cheque for £S, purporting to be signed by N. D. Wareham, and uttering same to Jean Elizabeth McLelland. There was a further similar charge preferred: That on April 11, 1927, at AVoodville, he did issue a cheque for £7 purporting to be signed by N. D. Wnreliain and did litter same to Williaiu Harrage Russell. A plea of guilty was entered. “As the accused has pleaded guilty, the proceedings will be brief,” said Senior-Detective Quirke, who conducted the case for the police, to the Bench. William Harrage Russell, licensee of the Post Office Hotel, AVoodville, stated in evidence that the accused was staying at his house on or about April 11. Accused asked witness to cash the cheque (produced in court) on the evening of April 11 as he was going away, intimating that “N. D. AVareliam” was a man he had worked for. Witness said that he knew Air AVareham and because of this lie gave accused £5 and took £2 in payment for board. The cheque was drawn on the Bank of New Zealand, AVoodville, but, from something witness heard, the cheque was not sent to the bank. Jean Elizabeth AlcLelland, daughter of the licensee of the Alasonic Hotel, AVoodville, stated in evidence that, at about 5.30 p.m. on April 19, accused came to the hotel and booked a room, presenting the cheque produced in court as payment, but being suspicious of the endorsement witness refused to cash it and handed it over to the police. Norman D’Arey AA’areham, farmer, of Hopelands, AA’oodville, stated in evidence that accused had been in liis employ in the early part of this year. The signature on the cheques was not that of witness and accused had no authority to write such signatures. AA itness had his account at the Bank of New Zealand. AVoodville. In a statement made to Constable Skinner, of AVoodville, accused admitted the offences and stated that, on the dates in question, he had obtained the blank cheque forms from men in Woodville; one he obtained from a man in a saddler’s, shop, and was requested to sign his name. Accused wrote the name “G. Roberts. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the AVellington Supreme Court for sentence. “He has already been committed to Wellington for sentence on other charges,” stated Senior - Detectivo Quirke.