MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5057, 17 September 1894, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

CHRISTCHUEOH. Moni?at, Sbpt. 17. (Before Messrs B. Westenra and H. P. Hill, J.P.*..). AugagD Falsb Pb__x___.okß.— Walter da Birch was charged with having on August 29 obtaiued by false pretenoes from M. V. ; Porter and Co. a post offioe order for £7 As. Inspeotor Broham conducted tho prosecution, F. M. Nairn deposed that accused was engaged by the firm of Porter and • Co. to oanvass for them in Canterbnry. On Angus- 28 they received a letter from accused forwarding thirteen orders for overmantels, and they made out a chequo for his oommission. Witneßß felt rather Buspicious as to the names, and on lockirg through a direotory, could not find a*>y names corresponding with those Bent hy accused. About a week later acoused se:;t sixteen more orders, and then witness cam') to Christeharch. The aooused in one of his letters stated that he had been laid up for a week with influ.nza, and had employed a Mr Harding to take his sample round. In a further letter accused stated that Mr Harding intended to leave for Sydney, but had missed tbe steamer, and had taken his (acoused's) sam^l. round again, and had got sixteen orders. On Sept. 11 witness saw accused and asked him whether Mr Harding was still in Christohuroh. Aoonsei replied that h. had 1 _f t s .me days ago for Melbonrne. In reply to a question, acoused said that hi was not aware that the orders were fictitious, and that ho had not signed any of them. Witness told acoused that if he would seoure to tho firm the JBI2 wh'c '_ had been advanoed, they would take no proceeding . in the matter, but if not, they would lay an information against him. Accused wanted the firm to accept aa agreement to pay off the money by instalments of 10a a week. Witness repli d that tbat would be do goed to them. He would, however, wire io the firm, asking if they would stop proceedings. He had reoeived a rep'y to proce-. Wit{ne.a Lad been round to some of tbe addresses given in the orders, and had found no persons of the nameß given living . t theße addresses. William Tomkios stated that accused had boarded at his place from Augast 11 to 29. During that time he had not been confined to the houie with sickness. Witness did not know of any peraon named Harding having cOme to see acoused. Chief Detective O'Connor deposed to arresting accused on Sept. 13. Found a small pocket-book on accused, showing the receipt of £7 4s, but to. showing any disbursement to Harding. Witness had been round to all thethirtaen houses mentioned in the first list, and could not find any personß of the names given living at those addresses. In some caßes there were no suoh numbers in the Btreets as those given. This concluded the case. Accused reserved hia defence, and was committed for t.i«l at the next cession of the Supreme Court. Alleged Larceny.— Walter de Birch was charged with having, on August 16, stolen £1, on August 28 10-, and on Sept. 4 ss, the property of M. E. Porter and Co. Acoused pleaded guilty. Inspector Broham said that the fac's were that accused had received clocks from the firm to deliver to customers -in Christohurch. He had received the money, and had not paid it over to the firm, Acoused was sentenced to ono month's imprisonment, with hard labour. The Bench deoided to admit the i aocused to bail at the expiration of this ! sentence, and fixed the amount, the acoused in his own recognisance of -6100 and two , sureties of -850. j (Before Mr R. Beetham, S.M.) i Civil Casks.— Chrietchurch Press Company Limited v. the Montague Tumcr Opera Company, claim JBI3 18s. Judg--1 ment was giyea for plaintiffs by default with costß 18s. An, application for im-moi-iata execution was granted.— »Tbe case .F. Partridge v. Q. Hatohins.n* clfti CQ 4< _Q ! was adjourneitill Oot. 11.