THE CLOSE OF " MR MORTON'S " CAREER IN HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2126, 23 February 1886, Page 2

THE CLOSE OF "MR MORTON'S " CAREER IN HAMILTON.

The gi fled yon tli w o paused in atuilton as "Arthur Morton," but of whose real name nothing is known, brought hia sojourn to an end yesterday, that is to say, he left by yesterday morning's train in charge of Constable Wild, en route for Mount Eden gaol, via Mercer, at which place be was to make a halt, in order that a charge against him might be heard there. Morton, as our readers are aware, was brought up at Hamilton on Friday, and remanded until the following day. On Saturday he was charged before Mr Northcroft, R.M., and Mr John Knox, J.P.. with obtaining £3 from Mrs Gwynne by means of false representations. Sergt. McGrath, who prosecuted, detailed the circumstances of the case. Prisoner, he said, arrived in Hamilton on Thursday, and put up at the Hamilton Hotel. On the following morning he borrowed 10s from Mrs Gwynne, saying that he had a cheque in his pockot which he wasJ going to get cashed. On Saturday he produced a cheque for £35, drawn on the Auckland branch of the Bank of New Zealand, and signed "Arthur Morton." This he asked Mrs Gwynne to get cashed for him. Fortunately, both for Mrs Gwynne and the prisoner, the teller at the Bank declined to cash the cheque, and held it for collection. On Monday morning prisoner asked if anything had been heard of the cheque, and was told that news concerning it would be up that day. He expressed his satisfaction, and asked Mrs Gwynne for a loan of £3 to pay for cablegrams waiting for him in Melbourne. Ho got the money, and Mrs Gwynne saw no more of him. — In answer to the Bench, the prisoner said he would prefer to have the case dealt with summarily. — The evidence of Mrs Gwynne and Mr Templer, accountant of the Bank of New Zealand, Hamilton, was taken, and prisoner was then asked if he had anything to say. Morton said he had no defence to offer. Fhe evidence wa*» quite correct. It was not true, however, that he asked Mrs Gwynne to ca.sh the £35 cheque. He only meant that it should be held for collection, hia purpose in producing it being to inspire confidence in the mind of the landlady, as he had no baggage. He did not think anybody would be so confiding as to cash a £35' cheque for a perfect stranger. He freely admitted hi* guilt, and said that any sentence the Court might see fit to inflict' would be deserved. — The bench sentenced the prisoner to four months imprisonment, with bard labour, in Mount Eden gaol. Sergt. McGrath said there was a wan ant out against the prisoner for an offence committed at Mercer, and he applied for a remand to that place.— Mr Northcroft said the prisoner was in charge of the police, and they could now do what they liked with him.— At Mercer he was charged with defrauding Mr Porter, and got an additional three months.