POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18235, 31 October 1922, Page 10

POLICE COURT NEWS.

VALUELESS CHEQUES PASSED FARMER ON PROBATION. Six charges of having obtained sums 'of money by means of valueless cheques; weij admitted by Andrew Hamilton, 8 j farmer, aged 29, in the Police Cotirt j yesterday, before Mr. J. W. Poynton, j S.nL The amount involved v/aa about j £15. in a statement to the police ac- \ cussed said ho had got into financial diffi- j culties in connection "with bis farm at.; Rumen. He had written to his brother for assistance. He had an account at the bank and had expected to receive | znoaev from his brother before 'the ! cheques were presented, thus enabling them to ha met. Accused had not been in trouble before and was given a. good character. He ■was admitted to probation forjrwo yeais fcnd ordered to make restitution within yix months. TROUBLE OVER A LETTER. A married ■woman, Beatrice Christina. Beiger, was charged with having fraudulently stated that she had posted a letter" containing £20. The evidence showed tkai accused wrote a letter to her brother, from whom she had borrowed a ram of money, stating that «he had posted a letter to him containing £20. As the money was not in trie letter ho mads a complaint to ..he postal authorities- Inquiries were made into the ease and accused subsequently admitted that she did not enclose £20 in tbu letter. Her reason for her action was to delay her brother's contemplated marriage which she did not consider was in his best interests. Mrs. Reiger said she- had no intention of defrauding anyone and did not know she was doing wrong. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court a for (sentence. PROBATION FOR THEFT. Edward Albert Munro, aged 20, appeared for sentence on charges of theft of cigarettes and tobacco, and £1 5s in money, the property of the Northern Steamship Company. Tim offence had been committed on the Clansman, on which vessel accused had been engaged. The magistrate said that accused had not given the police any assistance in clearin;.l: up the case. However, he had previously borne a good character- Munro was placed on probation for two years and ordered to make restitution to* tha estent of £5 19s within three months-

THEFT FROM POSTAL PACKET. The theft of a postal order for £4 12s 6d from a postal packet was preferred against a young married man. Gordon Levis Keene (Mr. A. H. Johnstone). The evidence showed that a letter containing the postal order had been wrongly sorted into a private box at the chief post office rented by and his father. Accused opened the letter and sometime later paid the order into his father's account at the bank. Counsel asked that the charge might bo reduced fo one of common theft. Tie said that accused had gained no benefit by his action. In declining the application the magistrate said that accused's action was more foolish than criminal, but .in view of the Berious view taken by Judges of interference with mails he-* felt that the case should be sent to the Supreme Court. Accused pleaded sruilty and was committed to the Supremo Court for sentence, bail being allowed. TWO SERIOtfS CHARGES. Walter "Williams, a labourer, aged 57. ■w;.:* charged with having committed in c--jsi. The offence was alleged to have been committed this month. The daughter concerned was 21 years of age and w«s now married. Her' mother died in 191.7. The girl stated that hc-r father had interfered with her on various occasions for fie past five years. Accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. A charge of having had unlawful carnal knowledge of a t;iii aged 14 was preferred against a youth, for whom Mr. Dickson appeared. Evidence was given as to admissions aliened to have been made by accused. Medical evidence was given, as to thi) girl".'; condition loot month. Accused pleaded not guilty, reserved Bis defence, and. wrs committed to ilia Supreme Court for Liial. The magistrate ordered that the youth's name should not be published. TWO CASES REMANDED. 3".cnneth Raymond Thomson, aged 22, nas remanded till Thursday on charges oi having obtained sums of money by means of valueless cheques and a charge pf having failed to maintain his wife. Mater* Ngapua, a Maori woman, was remanded for a. weesc on a charge of havmg forged the name of George Aameka to a money order telegram for ££ 2 musod to bo acted