CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3651, 23 December 1879, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

Tnis Day. (Before G. L. Mellish, E.g.,8.M.) Dbu nkennbss.— A first offender was fined ss. FoKGBBT ANdTttebinq. — Daniel O'Brien alias John Foley was charged on remand with forging the name of John Foley to a cheque for £10, drawn on tho Union Bank of Australia, Temuka, and with uttoring tho same on John Barrett, hotel-keeper, Ohristchurch. W. H. Bae, Bank clerk, deposed to the cheque produced having been issued to J. O. Sheppard, of the White Hart Hotel, on Sept. 10 last. Mr Sheppard was colled, but could not identify tho accused as a person he had given a blank chequo to. Ho was in the habit of giving away blank cheques every day. J. Fitzgerald, barman at Barrett's Hotel, gave evidence as to having spoken to accused on Nov. 29 about paying for his board due for two days, and to accused in reply handing him the chequo produced to cash. In witness' presence Mr Barrett asked accused whose signature the cheque bore, and ho replied, "Daniol O'Brien, a contractor at Geraldine or Temuka." Mr Barrett risked accused to endorse his namo to it, and he wrote " John Foley " on the baok of it. Mr Barrett thon handed accused lOs on account. Accused stayed at the hotel until Wednesday, Dec. 3, whon he suddenly left and did not return. John Barrett, called, gavo corroborative evidence. John Foley, a labourer, from near Timaru, stated that be had known tho accused since his arrival in the Colony, about two yeara ago j that accused was a labourer, and that ho had not aeon him for about fivo months. He had never authorised accused to sign his name to a cheque, and he (witness) had no account at any Bank. Accused, in reply to the Bench, commenced to make a rambling statement, but was advised to reserve his defence. Ho did so, and was committed for trial at the coming criminal session of tho Supreme Court. — Boderick M'Lellan was charged, on remand from Napier, with forging tbo name of C. W. Tancred to a cheque drawn on tho Bank of New Zealand, Geraldine, and with uttering samo. Inspectoi Hickson said accused had only arrived from Napier at 20 minutos to 9 o'clock, and he would ask for a remand. Bemanded until tomorrow.