UNUSUAL CASE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 144, 20 May 1939, Page 10

UNUSUAL CASE.

CHINESE IN COURT. Interesting details concerning two charges alleging the issue of valueless cheques in February last by a Chinese were related to Air H. P. Lawry, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court today, by Detective-Sergeant A. B. Meiklejohn, yvho said accused explained that he yvas going round paying up the cheques. He had a list of them, and had paid one. Harry Wong, alias Wing Lee, alias Wong Gang, aged 38. yvas charged that, on February 5 ,at Palmerston North, yvith intent to defraud, he obtained clothes valued at £3 31s and £l2 8s in money by means of a valueless cheque drawn on the National Bank of Neyv Zealand, Hastings, and signed hy Wing Lee; and that on February 4, 1938, at Wanganui, with intent to defraud, he obtained goods valued at 18s and £5 2s in money, by means of a valueless cheque drayvn on the National Bank of New Zealand at Hastings, and signed by Wing Lee. Air Meiklejohn said accused went to China soon after the incidents referred to in the charges and had only just recently returned. Accused had explained that he had heard from his countrymen that the police were looking for him about some cheques. Thereupon he obtained a list of tho cheques from the bank at Hastings and borroyved sufficient money to repay the amounts outstanding. He yvas engaged in this at a Palmerston North shop and had paid the amount owing there when he yvas taken in charge. Accused had a list jn his possession of the valueless cheques. Correspondence concerning the case yvas still at Wanganui and a request had been made for this to be foryvarded. The detective-sergeant therefore asked that accused be remanded. Appearing for accused, Mr L. G. H. Sinclair said he wished to obtain details from tho bank in Hastings of the cheques and also of accused’s account there-. To that end he asked that tho remand be of several days. He did nob know yet yvhat the plea would he. The Magistrate: His guilt, if any, would depend on the circumstances when lie issued the cheques. Accused yvas remanded to appear at Palmerston North on Thursday next, hail being alloyved in a sum of. £25 with a personal surety of a similar amount.