FRAUD CHARGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22498, 15 August 1936, Page 19

FRAUD CHARGE

PEOTEST BY COUNSEL cheque not presented •• extraordinary position " [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] DARGAVILLE, Friday Describing the' position as extraordinary, in that his client, William feriulon Fast, had been arrested for allegedly issuing a valueless cheque jvhich had not been presented at the bank, Mr. It. S. Burt, of Auckland, nsked Mr. W. A. Haden, J.P., at the Dargaville Police Court to-day, either to proceed with the hearing of the case or to dismiss it. Fast, a motor mechanic, formerly of Dargaville, was charged that at Dar- , pavillc on August 10, with intent to defraud, he obtained from a local draper goods to the value of los 4d and 14* 8d in money by means of a valueless cheque. Sergeant F. Culloty asked for a remand until August 20. "This is a most extraordinary position," said Mr. Burt. "This charge is based on an allegedly valueless cheque, but, the extraordinary feature is that tho cheque was never presented, and we intend taking action for heavy damages against the man vho brought tho charge. In all my experience at tho Bar I. have never heard of a man being arrested on a charge of issuing a valueless cheque which had never been presented at the bank. I have come from Auckland at groat inconvenience and 1 want the case to be proceeded with." "The position is that this man went to four or five business people and cashed cheques," said Sergeant Culloty. "One of them got in touch with his bank in Dargaville and the bank in turn got in touch with the bank in Auckland, and tho Dargaville bank tvas informed that accused had no account and that he had been warned some time previously that he must issue no more cheques. Other charges are pending and' we are not ready to go on with this charge, a 8 we have sent the cheques to Auckland and they have not yet been returned."

"I would like to hear the story of the bank manager and the man who brought the charge," said Mr. Burt. "Why should the case have to be held up because the police are not ready to go on with it? My client had an account .and I have his passbook here. I want the case to go on." Sergeant Culloty repeated his request for a remand. "Then I ask for the case to be dismissed," said Mr. Burt.

The presiding justice granted a remand until August 20, Bail of £SO in two sureties was renewed.