ALL ABOUT A CHEQUE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3927, 16 July 1937, Page 4

ALL ABOUT A CHEQUE

MAORI SAYS HE FOUND IT. BUT CONFOUNDED HIM. \ This is the story of a cheque that mysteriously disappeared from the owner’s coat and was presented to a local shopkeeper in payment of goods. The story goes that last Saturday evening a young Maori made some purchases in a local fruit shop, and tendered a cheque for £2 in payment, asking for the change. The shopkeeper demurred, but was assured by the Maori that the cheque was all right. It was drawn on his own account, and made out to himself. Still the shopkeeper demurred, and then refused to do business as he did not know the customer, who, by the way, gave the impression of being not exactly sober. The latter left the shop, and a minute or two later the shopkeeper found the cheque on the floor of the shop. On Monday he informed the police, feeling that they could trace the utterer, and restore the cheque if everything was in order — and if not they would be able to take appropriate action. Constables Forsyth and Carseldine made inquiries that led them to a billiard saloon keeper, who said the cheque had been torn from his book, probably while his coat was hanging behind a door in the saloon. The book and a wallet had been taken by somebody. Then the police set about finding more in formation. The signature was “P. Walker,” and inquiry showed that a Maori at Owairaka was known by the name of "Paddy Walker.” A trip out to the latter’s home, and a series of questions led to Walker being arrested.

When charged before Messrs W. Jeffery and W. Swain, J's.P., at the local Court on Thursday, Otimera Waaka, alias .Paddy Walker, admitted that he had attempted to cash the cheque. His story was, in substance, that he came into town on Saturday morning and had a few drinks. Then he sat in a room of a local hotel, went to sleep, and when he woke he found the cheque form in his pocket. In his muddled state he decided to fill it in for £2 and cash it. He tried to do so in at least one shop and was refused (on general principles, presumably, for the proprietor said the man was apparently quite sober, though a stranger to him) before he tried the fruit shop. Questioned by the police, he could give no other explanation as to how the cheque form came into bis possession. The police said they knew nothing against Walker's character. The Bench decided to take a lenient view, by recording a conviction with a fine of 10s, but severely admonished him, and told him he should profit by the leniency accorded him on that occasion.