MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8658, 22 October 1896, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

ITMARU Thursday, October 22nd. (Before Messrs M. Gray, A. Bherrattand E. R. Guinness, J.P.s.) DRUNKENNESS. A first offender who was arrested for drunkenness at 9.20 the previous morning and had been in the lock-up since was discharged with a caution. FALSE PRETENCES. Robert Millar, a stranger here, was charged with obtaining refreshments to the value of 5s from James Rickus, barman of the Club Hotel, by means of false pretences,—on a valueless cheque —and pleaded guilty. Accused added that If let off he would pay the debt. Sergt.-Major McDonald led the evidence. James Rickus gave evidence that accused visited the bar of the Ship Hotel last evening and shouted for a number of people, and being served In the usual way he tendered a cheque on a Dunedin bank for £2. Told him he could not cash a cheque on a Dunedin bank, but said he would meet the cheque. He refused to give him any more drink on the strength of thecheque. Accused again said he Would pay if let off. Detective Livingstone stated that accused (who bad been previously convicted elsewhere, twice for forgery and once for false pretences) had been drinking about town for a few days. He met accused before this complaint was made, and he gave the name of McGregor. On receiving the cheque from Mr Chute, witness saw accused and charged him with obtaining refreshments on a valueless cheque. Accused said the cheque was not valueless, he had an account at a Dunedin bank, and witness would be very sorry for interfering with him. He had learned that accused had got drinks at another hotel on the same cheque. He told him that a stop must be put to this game, and that he must arrest him. On the way to the station accused admitted that he had no account in Dunedin now ; and that it was three years since he had one. He had only Id on him when arrested, and witness doubted whether he could arrange to pay the debt if set at liberty. Accused in reply said he had been muddled with drink, and that he could easily have fixed up the account this morning. He had had a bank account from time to time, but had not one now. He was convicted and sentenced to. a month’s imprisonment,