ACQUITTED OF FRAUD.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17410, 24 May 1928, Page 13

ACQUITTED OF FRAUD.

JUDGE’S COMMENT TO JURY. ‘‘l am only saying what a judge told a jury in another State once: ‘lf ever I get into trouble, I hope I’ll have you to try me,’ ” said Judge Cohen to a jury at Darlinghurst, after they had brought in a verdict acquitting Daniel Samuel Strickland (59), postmaster at Gordon, of having fraudulently conve-rled £7O 5s Id, while acting as an accounting officer. The jury had, earlier, returned a verdict of “guilty, with no fraudulent intent.” The judge reminded the jury that if they found there was no fraudulent intent, it would be equal to a verdict of not guilty, and asked them 'to give the matter further consideration. Strickland stated that 12 months ago he set his son up in business, and guaranteed all his expenses. The son failed, and he had had several calls upon him in connection with the failure. He advanced a sum temporarily out of 'the post office cash, and kept a memo of the amounl in his drawer. He got his brother in the country to pay £SO into his private account at the Bank of New South Wales, Gordon, hut the money did not arrive in time to admit of his putting the amount into the bank before the inspector arrived. He tendered a c-hequc in pavment of the amount, but under the postal regulations the cheque was refused by the bank.