THEFT OF CHEQUES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7141, 31 May 1910, Page 1

THEFT OF CHEQUES

THIRD TRIAL A;T FALMEKSTON. ARCHIBALD MTJIR CONVICTED. PEES 3 ASSOCIATION. M„ t ,■ Mar 30. Air Justice Cooper was occupied all day at the Supreme Court to-day rehearing *> le case against Archibald Muir, charg%Z i 1 cheques valued at about .£BOO from the National Mortgage Company, Ltd. (Longburn freezing works), dealing with alleged purchases of tallow, bonea, etc.

Ihe jury had twice boforo disagreed. _ After a retirement of three hours the jury returned a verdict of guilty on charges of stealing the last three cheques in the series. The iury found that Kerson, to whom the cheques were made out, was a fictitious person. The jury added a rider recommending that the prisoner b* leniently dealt with on account of Ids age and previous good character and the laxity with which the National Mortgage Company conducted its business at Long-burn regarding the receipt and sale of produce. At the former trial notice was given of appeal against the indictment, on the ground that th.e evidence was in the direction not of theft, but of false pretences. This point was a#ain raised, and leave to appeal was granted, his Honor deferring sentence till the Court of Appeal had dealt with the matter.