VALUELESS CHEQUES

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6442, 26 January 1924, Page 5

VALUELESS CHEQUES

SENSATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY POLICE SECOND MAN ARRESTED IN GISBORNE REPORTED TO HAVE ADMITTED OFFENCE On December 26th a man giving his name as Thomas Steele Duncan was arrested at Rotorua on a charge of issuing valueless cheques on Morrinsville and Matamata business men. He was brought to Morrinsville for identification, and while several were positive that Duncan was the wanted man others were doubtful and even positive that he was the wrong person. The accused came before the Court at Morrinsville on December 28th, and was remanded for eight days. Since then he 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, being remanded again, bail being allowed on this occasion. On Thursday morning at 10 o’clock a large number of Morrinsville witnesses were present at the Courthouse in readiness for a lengthy case. A large number of other witnesses from Tauranga, it is understood, were on their way, ’.6 After the Clerk of the Court had read out the 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 be remanded to appear at Tauranga. Mr E. McGregor, who represented Duncan, raised no objection providing that bail was allowed on accused’s own cognizance.

This was granted and Duncan was remanded to appear at Tauranga on the 30th inst., bail being allowed on his own cognizance of £IOO.