CHARGE OF STEALING CHEQUES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 16

CHARGE OF STEALING CHEQUES.

NOTICE OF APPEAL. PALMERSTON N., May 30. Mr Justice Cooper was occupied all day with the rehearing of the case against Archibald Muir, charged with stealing cheques valued at about £BOO from the National Mortgage Company. (Ltd.) (Longburn Freezing Works), dealing with alleged purchases of tallow, bones, etc. The jury had twice before disagreed. After a retirement of threehours the jury returned a verdict of guilty on the charges of stealing the last three cheques in the series. The jury found that Kerson, to whom the cheques were made out, was a fictitious person. The jury added a rider recommending that the prisoner be leniently dealt with' on account of his age and previous good! character, and the laxity with which the National Mortgage Company conducted its business at Longburn regarding the receipt and sale of produce. Mr Cooper at the former trial gave notice of appeal against the indictment on the ground that the evidence was in the direction, not of theft, but of false pretences. This point was again raised, and leave to appeal was granted, his Honor deferring sentence till the Court of Appeal had dealt with the matter.