ALLEGATION OF FRAUD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20827, 20 March 1931, Page 14

ALLEGATION OF FRAUD.

BUSINESS MAN CHARGED.

PROMISSORY NOTE TO FIRM-

MAGISTRATE DISMISSES CASE,

A charge that he had received £SO by false pretences was made against Albert Meadows (Mr. Tong), in the Police Court yesterday. He pleaded not guilty. William James Hunter, secretary of John Burns and Company, Limited, said that on February 19, 1950, accused, who yvas then principal of A. Meadows, Limited, hardware merchants, asked for a loan of £SO from witness' firm. He said he wanted the money fo meet a draft covering a shipment of goods ho IjacJ landed. Questioned regarding his financial position, accused said his liabilities were £2OO and his assets £2092. The loan was sanctioned by the manag-ing-director of witness' firm, and accused signed a promissory note for £sl 8s Bd, including interest, to be "paid on June 22, 1950. On the due date accused said he- was unable to pay the note, the presentation of which was accordingly deferred. In August accused's company went into liquidation, and witness' company, as one of the creditors, participated in the 4s in the pound dividend. Replying to counsel, witness said that at the time the loan was granted accused, who was a customer of John Burns and Company, Limited, owed the firm £l6B. Colin Maclarlane Gordon, public accountant, said he had examined the books of accused's company and found that, at the time of the granting of the loan there wag a bank overdraft of £97, white outstanding promissory notes amounted to £304. As fair as could be ascertained, the total liabilities were then £1446. Assets on January 31, 1930, the end of the firm's financial year, consisted of £lll cash in hand, furniture and fittings valued at £SOB, and stock worth £1429. In witness' opinion lines were incorrectly valued, and the figure, £1429, should be considerably reduced.

The magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, said he did not consider there was sufficient evidence to warrant the commital of accused for trial in the Supreme Court. The case was accordingly dismissed.

CHARGE AGAINST MINER.

QUESTION OF GOLD DEPOSITS.

[BY TELEGHAPH.—PIIESS ASSOCIATION.] PALMERSTON NORTH, Thursday.

A native of Alaska, Edward Ralph Martin, described as a miner, was charged jn 'the Police Court to-day that, having falsely represented that he was a qualified geologist and an experienced miner, he obtained from Samuel James Rossiter the sum of £25. He was also charged that bv falsely stating that he was a qualified geologist and miner and had located gold in considerable qqantities at Tokomaru, obtained £2O from William Gordon Simp?

Detective Barling said he had been introduced to accused as Professor Martin, a man who had discovered gold at Tokomaru. Martin said mining was in his bipod and he could absolutely smell gold. Evidence was also given regarding accused's repiresentations concerning claims at Tokomaru.

He pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed.