MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16348, 4 February 1924, Page 3

MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

The following report is taken from the Matamata Record on January 24: —On December 26 a man giving his name as Thomas Steele Duncan was arrested at Rotorua on a charge; of issuing valueless cheques on Morrinsville and Matamata businessmen, lie was brought to Morrinsville for identification, and while several were, positive that Duncan was the wanted, man others were doubtful and positive that he was the wrong person. Th» accused came before, the Court at Morrinsville on Deeemheif 28 and was remanded for'eight days. Since then ho has been travelling in custody between Thames .and Morrinsville, appearing before the Court at the latter, place at intervals. Last Thursday he again appeared in Court, heing remanded unlit to-day,' hail being allowed on this occasion. This morning at 10 o'clock a large number of Morrinsville witnesses were present at the'.Oourthouse in readiness tor a- lengthy ease/ A large number of other witnesses from Tauranga, it is understood, were on their way. After the clerk of the Court had read out fne charge Detective Culloty stated that he had received telegraphic advice from the Gisborne police that the real man had been arrested at Gisborne. The detective' understood that this man had admitted the Morrinsville and Matamata offences.' He recommended that Duncan should he remanded to appear at Tauranga. * • Mr. E. MacGregor, who represented Duncan, raised no objection provided that bail was allowed on accused's own, recognisance. This was granted and Duncan was remanded to, appear at Tauranga on the cOth hist.," bail being allowed on his j own recognisance of £IOO. j nmommmm ammi*mt«itr.mivn**nm<iaßßmmi3ißaamiimmwiMi