STOLE CHEQUE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 166, 29 May 1940, Page 5

STOLE CHEQUE

SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPT TO SECURE MONEY YOUNG MAORI'S LAPSE Messrs G. A. "lirabant and R. W. Sehofield, J.P.'s, were on tlic Bench on Monday morning when Albert Pukekura, aged 38, pleaded guilty to stealing a blank cheque, the property of George Symmans, and with attempting to steal £10 from Charles Richard Gooeh. The oiFenee was committed at Tanealua on Saturday, May 1251 h. It was stated that a more serious charge was" dropped, the Court taking into consideration the youth of the accused. Pukekura preferred to be dealt with by the Justices rather than face a Supreme Court appearance. Prosecuting, Sergeant M. Farrell said accused was 18 a /2 yea/s of age and was employed by Mr George Symmans, a farmer, of Taneatua. It was Mr Symmans' practise to hang his coat up in the shed, and on Saturday, when he had done this, there was a cheque-book in the pocket. Accused took a cheque and filled it in, subsequently trying to cash it at Gooch's store. Inquiries were instituted by Constable Rice and aci cused was very frank about the matter when questioned. "You are lucky that you are not sent to the Supreme Court," said the Bench. "Let this be a lesson to you" Accused was convicted and discharged on the charge of stealing the cheque and fined £3 on the second count. He was also placed on probation for six months, a condition being that he reports to the police once n month during the currency of the Lerm. Witnesses, expenses totalled £1 2s 6d.