RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5490, 9 December 1884, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

.Tuesday, Dfoembbr 9, 1884. (Before K. Ward, Esq., R.M.) FALSE PBETSNCES.

J, R. Wilaon was charged on the information of John McLaren with obtaining money under false pretences. Mr Barnicoat appeared for the informant, and Mr Hutchison ior the accused.

Mr Barnicoat opened the case for the in form ant, and called John McLaren.

Mr Hutchison here stated that the letters required had not arrived, and in the event of a case being made out, ho would require an adjournment for their production. John McLaren, hotel-keener, said he had Known defendant for nine years. He went to witness some time ago and got trust for a few drinks, saying that he was getting money from Home. This was months before the 22ud September, Accused did not say how much money he was getting, he got 10s from witness. About 2 or 3 weeks afterwards, he showed witness a letter and read it to him ; this letter purported to come from a trustee at Berwick-on-Tweed, and stated that about £1060 would be out by the next Brindisi mail. This was en the 14th August last, and witness gave accused about £1. He gave him this on account of the reprebentations of the letter. On the 17th gave Lim £1, on the 21st £1, 25th £1, 28th £3 ; >ept Ist £2, sth £1, Bth 10s, 9th £2, 11th £1, loth £1, 17th £2, 18th £2, and 19th £i. The Brindisi mail came in about the beginning of Sept. He saw accused then, and was told by him that the money had not come, but that he had a letter from his sister in Edinburgh stating the cause of the delay to be due to a deed which was to be sent by the 'Frisco mail with the money. All the money up till this time had been lent on the strength of the representations contained in the letter shown on the 14th, Tho 'Frisco mail came in on the 21st or 22ad of September, and the accuaed came in then and said, '* Mr McLaren, the money has arrived through the Bank at Wanganui, but I can't draw it for nine days." He said that his brother's money waa payable at sight, and that he would be down next day from Waitara, aad he (accused) would pay witness ' then. He taid nothing else that day, but asked for money, saying "It is all right, ■ old boy ; you'll get paid in nine days with interest, Giwe him three pounds. He showed witness two large envelopes at the time buch as would contain documents ; they were supposed to be from Home. Accused said "Here's the lettera; the money has come." He got other money after this : On the 23rd £2, 25th £5 10s, 26th £6, 27fch £4, 28th £5, and 29th £1, This money was lent to him because he said his money had arrived, and witness would j be paid in nine days, Did not see him after the 29th for a week. When he got the Insfc £1 he said he would come next day and pay witness. Accused afterwards seat a letter to witness (produced). This letter said that he would be round in about a week, and requesting that his account be made up in full. Saw accused on the Saturday following that letter. Had been looking for him, and found him upstairs at Mr Harding's photographic studio. Asked him why he was stowing himself there, and why he did not go and see witness. Accused said he would go round directly. Next saw aocuaed in the street talking with Jensen, and they went together to his (witneßß') house to see what was to be done. Accused said that someone else had the money in charge, because he did not want MoLellan to know about it, but he would get some that day. Witness did not get the money or any portion of it. About a week after thip, accused said he would get the money from Auckland in about a fortnight. Had not got it. Accused said he would get it from Harding at Lichfield, near Auckland. Mr Hutchison did not cross-examine the witness.

George Firman, hotelkeeper at Aramoho knew the accused, and had had conversation with him about money. Accused read a letter to him stating that he had money coming from his trustee. It stated a considerable amount. Saw accused on several occasions afterwards, and he got £1 on one ccasion when he said his money had come, but he could not receive it until tho following Tuesday. This was some time in September, accused had not paid the £1 back. Mr Hutchison had no questions to ask. J. H. Jensen, hotel-keeper, knew tho accused, and had had some transactions with him. Accused wanted money to pay his passage money, witness got it for him, and accused Baid that he would pay him the next week when Mr Cowling came from D'urville's Island. Afterwards Rot money from witness, as he showed witness a letter from Home Btating that he had about a thousand pounds coming to him. He said the money would come next mail, and when that mail came accused said it had not come, but would probably arrive by the next mail. He came down after next mail and told witness that the money had arrived. Accused said the money would come to the Bank of N.Z. Accused got; about £15, altogether in money and other things from witness. When he met the accused at Harding's, accused said " Don't be alarmed, the money has come j it is in the Bank of N.Z., but I can't draw it for 9 days." Believed this was in Sept. Accused said he did not want to have an account at the Bank for certain reasons. Went with him to Mrs Harding's, at his request, as he he Baid he would draw, £100 that day. Waited outside for Wilson, and when he came out he said he would have to go baok again at 5 o'clook, as she was not in. Wilson said he would call on witness and settle with him next morning. Did not get a settlement at all,

— . " - . (■{?. .,- I-J.-By Mr Hutchieon-Did not take Jbe dates* of all hia viaits. Ho remembered meeting Wilson with McLaren » good many tiraeß, but only onoe outside Mr Hot ding's studio^ and that was the only time he said the mosey had arrived and was in the Bank, and would be available after nine days. McLaren asked why he did not go and draw the money now it had come. Accused Bhowcd them some long lettera purporting to have come from Home. McLaren had told him that he had advanced about £40 to the accused. This concluded the evidence taken, and the caso was "djournod i<>r a week.