RUSSIAN EXILE IN TROUBLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 12

RUSSIAN EXILE IN TROUBLE.

FALSE PRETENCES. WELLINGTON, August 2. On remand, Arthur Copland Boranoff, known as a lecturer on the public platform as "Dr Boranoff, the Russian Exile," was charged in the Magistrate's Court to-day before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., with obtaining from Minnie Moore the sum of £1 10s at Wellington on the 17th July by means of a certain false pretence with intent to defraud. Accused pleaded not guilty. Chief Detective Broberg prosecuted, and Mr Hindmarsh defended. Minnie Moore, photographer, Willis street, gave evidence that about two months ago accused called on her and ordered 50 photographs, the cost to be 30s.' Subsequently he tendered in payment a cheque for £3 signed " Boranoff." When witness took the cheque to the Bank of Australasia the cashier would not pay out on it, stating that accused had no account there. Witness informed accused that his cheque had been dishonoured. He replied that he should have made the cheque out payable at the Levin branch of the bank. Accused offered payment after the information was laid. Detective Kemp stated that accused told him that he never had an account at the Levin branch. Mr Hindmarsh submitted that the case must be dismissed. Counsel argued that there was no intent to defraud. Informant had volunteered the 30s change as soon as he heard that an information had been laid against him. Accused offered not only to repay the 30s but the full amount of the cheque for £3. ' His Worship intimated that he should like to hear accused's explanation. Mr Hindmarsh remarked that accused had tendered the cheque as a mere act of bravado. He had not considered it a matter of importance. He would, however, place accused in the box. Leo Arthur Arnold Copland Boranoff said that certain amounts of money were to be lodged to his account at Levin and Wellington in the Bank of Australasia. When he drew the cheque he was confident that the money was lying to his credit. Counsel r Who owed you this money? j Accused : A man named Carde. i Counsel: How much did Carde owe you? Accused : It is I who am being tried. I do not wish to bring other matters into this. This is a question of morality, not of law. To Detective Broberg: Witness had asked a Maori Tn Barrett's Hotel to cash a cheque for £2, for which he did not •receive the money. Mr Carde had supplied him with his cheque-book. Witness had not stolen it. He had come to New Zealand from London as a greater on a steamer. He travelled under the name of Barr. On arrival he informed the Customs that he had been born in Manchester, which he now admitted was a lie. He had practised for nine months as a doctor in Gloucester. Detective Broberg hereupon asked leave to call Mr Carde. Mr Hindmarsh objected. He contended that Mr Carde should have been called for the prosecution. His Worship held that it was not for Mr Broberg to anticipate that Mr Carde would be mentioned by the defence. William Carde, barman, stated that when living at the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel he -missed his- cheque-book' from his pocket. He had never offered to lend money to accused. Four cheque, forms had been taken out of the book. To Mr HandmaTshi Witness had been subpoenaed by the Crown, and had come to court to give evidence for the prosecution. His Worship said that accused evidently had sufficient education to know the value of cheques, and it would also be assumed that he had some knowledge of monetary

transactions. It appeared to him that accused must be convicted. In addition he would be fined £5, the penalty for default being fixed at 21 days' imprisonment. i i —