A STOLEN CHEQUE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 116, 14 February 1928, Page 7

A STOLEN CHEQUE

SHIP’S COOK SENT TO GAOL. ■ Finlay Buchanan, a ship’s cook, aged 32, who was represented by Mr. W. E, Leicester, pleaded guilty before Mr, J, H. Salmon, S-M-, in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to stealing a cheque, valued at £22, the property of Patrick Row. Chief Detective Ward stated that the cheque had been stolen from the Pier Hotel last November. It had been sent out addressed to a Mr. Row, from England. by Thomas Cook and Son, as Mr. Row was coming to New Zealand, and wanted to have the money when he arrived. Accused took the chequ* from an envelope addressed to Mr. Row, and presented it at Cook’s, but as be could not identify himself as Row, he was not paid the money. He then went to a mercer’s shop, and obtained XlO worth of goods, being given the change for the cheque. Not quite satisfied that he was Row. the mercer suggestd to accused that he go along to Cook's with him, so that he could be identified. This Buchanan agreed to do, but on the way he bolted. He was not seen again until Saturday. He had previously been convicted for theft at Dunedin. The Magistrate said it was impossible to grant accused probation. He had been previously convicted, and the theft of correspondence was a serious matter, involving worry as well as loss. Accused would be sentenced, to three months' imprisonment,