THE TRUSTING PUBLIC.

Otago Witness, Issue 3828, 26 July 1927, Page 60

THE TRUSTING PUBLIC.

ISSUE OF VALUELESS CHEQUES. M AGISTERIAL COM MEN T. CHRISTCHURCH. July 19. An extensive issue of valueless cheques during -April, May, and June of this year netted for AVilliam Scholes, aged 35, tlie comfortable sum of £6O 9s 8d in money and goods, mostly money. Scholes would take a cheque to a merchant of some kind, buy a small quantity of goods, and pocket the change. He issued nine cheipies altogether, ami attempted to issue a tenth, but he failed in this case because the storekeeper had insufficient change. Scholes appeared before Air E. D. Mosley, S.M., this morning, charged with the issue of the cheques. "I suppose that those who pay their debts have to make up for these amounts,” remarked the Magistrate to Chief Detective Lewis, who prosecuted. ‘‘This makes a total of 20 charges of issuing valueless cheques before the court in the last week or two. The public should be gradually educated up in these matters, but it seems to take a long time.” The victims of Scholes wore :—George Fierce, a valueless cheque for £8 6s on th? Bank of New Zealand : Alossrs Treleaven and Shirley, £9, Bank of New South AA’ales; Cash Clothing Company, £8 10s, Bank of New South Wales; Charles Herbert Fclstone Robinson. £5, Bank of New South Wales ; Messrs Plimsiil’s (Ltd.). £8 12s, Bank of New South AVales ; Edward Frederick Thomas Eldridge, £2 6s, Bank of New South AA’ales; Alitchell Shoe Store, £4 Bs, Rank of New South Wales; Al'Clatcliie and Co., £7 15s 3d. Bank of New South AVales; J. Jamieson, £9, Bank of New South AA’ales ; Robert Johnston. £9. Bank of New South AVales (attempted). Chief Detective Lewis said that he would proceed on one charge only, and let that stand for the rest. The charge would be the one of issuing a valueless cheque to George Pierce cn April 8. George Pierce, of Messrs Pierce Bros., grocers, said that the accused had called at his shop two or three times. He remembered the cheque (produced) being presented at the shop by Scholes in naymnt for a small item, a packet of cigarettes or something of that sort. Tho balance was paid in cash to Scholes. Some hall a dozen times after presenting tho cheque to witness Scholes nine up and asked if the cheque was all right ; but it had not then been returned from tho bank. Afterwards witness endeavoured to find but could not do so. ‘‘AA’hen he rang up the last time I told him that the cheque had imt been met, and he said that he would come round and fix it up,’’ added witness. “He did not do so.” Detective Studholme, who arrested Scholes, gave evidence that when interviewed regarding Hie other offences Scholes made two statements. He stated that ho a married man and lived with his wife. He was a steel engraver bv trade, tfut for the last two months had done nothing except a little canvassing. Scholes admitted issuing the valueless chorine. The money lie obtained as change was spent on food for bis wife, child, and himself. In the second statement Scholes admitted the other offences. Scholes pleaded guilty'on all charges, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.