CHEQUE TRANSACTIONS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 565, 1 December 1915, Page 11

CHEQUE TRANSACTIONS.

SEVERAL CHARGES AGAINST YOUNG MAN. BRUSHES BETWEEN POLICE AND COUNSEL. j Several charges were preferred Against a young man named Donald Ailwyn Stiles at the Magistrate's Court this morning. The hearing was distinguished by a few breezy passages between counsel for the accused (Mr Donnelly) and Chief-De-tective Herbert. Stiles appeared on remand to answer seven informations of obtaining various sums of money by means of valueless cheques, from Edward John Massey. The offences were alleged to have been committed between November 6 and 13. The first charge was in respect of valued at £8 3/-. Accused pleaded not guilty. Mary Ellen Massey, wife of the licensee of Colter's Hotel, Christchurch, said that the accused was a boarder hotel in September last. He returned on November 6, and stayed there for some time as a boarder. On November 6he presented a cheque, dated November 5, ahd for £ls (produced), to witness in the morning, for payment for his board on a previous occasion. Witness accepted the cheque, and gave the accused £8 3/- change. ; To Mr Donnelly: He stayed at the hotel with his wife from November and during that time cashed several cheques. John Massey, licensee of Coker's Hotel, Christchurch, identified the accused's signature on a cheque produced. He had received tile cheque from his wife, and had passed the cheque on to the bank. Chief Detective Herbert: And you received the cheque backus valueless? Witness: Yes. Mr Donnelly: I object to the word "valueless." You received the cheque back unpaid. Chief Detective Herbert: The witness is giving evidence, not you. You needn't think that because*you've been in the Court for 30 or 40 years tliat you can dominate it. ;Mr Donnelly: Yes, yes. I have had N a few police officers to deal with iii my time, but I have never met any like you. William Kerr Virtue, manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Akaroa, said that in April, 1915, accused had ah account in the bank. He transferred it to Ashburton, and on November 4 or 5, 1915, accused called on witness and said he wanted an overdraft of £2O, stating at the same time that he was worth £2OOO. Witness asked accused if he had any security to offer, but as the security did not come into witness's hands, tije cheques were dishonoured. Accused did not re-open his account. -To Mr Donnelly: Accused had £IOO in the bank now. In July last he opened a credit account of. between £4OO and £450. Accused war a very respectable young man, well-known ill Akaroa. JMr Donnelly: Would it have been considered unreasonable that the accused supposed that the cheques would have been paid?

"Witness: No. Chief-Detective Herbert: Would you consider it reasonable that the accused "would supposed you to cash seven cheques amounting to joyer £SO? Witness: No.

Chief Detective Herbert (to Mr Donnelly): There you are. Where are you? Mr Donnelly: I wish you would not comment, Chjief. I know very well where I am. Detective James O'Connor said that on November 19 he proceeded Jp Akaroa and arrested the accused on warrant. When charged he replied, "I plead not guilty to that. I know I have been a fool, but I did not issue the cheques with the intention of beating Mr Massey." Mr Donnelly, for the defence, submitted that the accused did not issue the cheques with intent to defraud. The accused supposed, very foolishly' of course, that the bank would cash the cheques. The accused pleaded not guilty, arid was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. The accused was then charged with six other charges of obtaining rmoney from Massey by means of valueless cheques. Edward John Massey gave evidence as to having received the cheques from his wife, and to having passed them into the bank, and received them back dishonoured. Mr Donnelly: You have "received payment of all your cheques, and expenses for your trip to Akaroa, have you not? Witness: Yes. * Mr Donnelly reserved his defence. The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed, self in £100; and one surety of £IOO.