WORTHLESS CHEQUES.

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1924, Page 3

WORTHLESS CHEQUES.

CASHED IN WHANiGAREI,

ACCUSED ADMITS GUILT

A series of charges in Vrhich cheques figured prominently was heard by Mr R. W. Tate, S.M., at the Whangarei Magistrate's Qourt yesterday.

James Hamilton was charged that on August 22 he did steal three blank cheque forms, valued at 6d, the property of Herbert Norman James; that on August. 23 he did obtain the sum of £2 from Lindsay William Essex by means of a certain false pretence, a valueless cheque signed "James Hamilton" and drawn on the Bank of New Zealand, Whangarei, well knowing the said cheque to be valueless, with intent to defraud; that on August 23 at Whangarei he did obtain the sum of £3 10s from Andrew Edward McMahon by similar means, and also that he did similarly obtain the sum of £2 14s <3d from John Giist, the cheque in this case being signed "J. Boyd."

Accused pleaded guilty

Detective De Norville stated that accused had been employed as cook at James' Hotel, but a, few weeks ago he left the job, staying on in the house as a boarder. While in the house he obtained three blank cheques belonging to Mr Norman James and filled them in for various amounts. He paid an account at Mr J. Gust's and took the balance of one of the cheques in change. Then he cashed a cheque at Mr MeMahon's, and after this decided to go in for some land. He approached Mr Essex and bought a section, but there was some trouble over the cheque at the bank. Constable Beasley then visited accused, and when lie was questioned over the filling in of the cheque he tore it up.

Constable Beasley gave evidence that on Saturday afternoon he arrested accused, who admitted all the

charges against, him and expressed a wish to be dealt with by the Magistrate. To a question by the Magistrate accused stated that he wished to be dealt with summarily. Detective De Norville stated that so far as was known by the police accused had had no previous convictions against him. but drink was probably the cause of his trouble. Questioned by the Magistrate accused stated that he was a seaman by trade and had only been in Whangarei for a few months.

The Magistrate said that the charges against accused were serious. The cause of his trouble was probably the evergreen one of drink. How people cashed cheques without investigation surpassed his coiiiprehension entirely. Accused would be convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent. Detective Do Norville said that when arrested accused possessed £/ 15s, and the total money received from the cashed cheques was £8 4s (id. Theie.fore he had spent !>s 6d. The Magistrate ordered that the balance, £7 15s, be returned pro rata to those who had cashed the cheques.