CITY POLICE COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 4003, 23 December 1875, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT.

Thursday, December 23, (Before A.C. Begg and T. Birch, Esqs., J.P.’s;

Obscene and Profane Language, Samuel Key was charged with using onscene and profane language iu the public street. Accused said he bad too much drink, but not remember using the language complained of,—A fine of 40s was inflicted, with the alternative of fourteen days’ imprisonment, Forgery. Charles Bredie Cooper was brought up on remand charged whir obtaining from John Peterson, grocer, George street, the sum of 1 3 10s by false pretences, to wit by means of a valueless cheque, nurno ting to be drawn by E. Brown, Newmarket Hotel, Hope street. — In-pector Mallard said that since the case had come before the Court circumstances had been discovered which would make the charge resolve itself into one of forgery, and he therefore asked that the original charge he withdrawn and a fresh information substituted.— The Bench approved of the altera'ion, and accused pleaded “ Notguilty.”—Edward Brown, licensee of the Newmarket Hotel, said about six years ago prisoner was in his employment as gene al servant and afterwards as barman, and he would then have opportunities of seeing witness’s signature. Witness produced a day book with prisoner's handwriting in it ami also a receipt for wages. On the 20th inst. Peterson showed witness the cheque iu question, purporting to be drawn by E. Brown” on the Bank of New Zealand, payable to Mr Thompson; but it was not in witness’s handwriting, and to.the best of his judgment it was iu that of prisoner. Witness then, us now, banked with the bank of New Pouth Ye ales.— oim Peterson, grocer, said that on the 11th met. prisoner asked him to cash the cheque produced. Witness asked bin if it was drawn by E. Brown, of the Newmarket Hotel, to which prisoner replied iu the affirmative, and witness then cached it On tiie 13 ,hj prisoner came to him ami asked him to give the cheque back, as it was drawn on the wrong bank, and Inwould come with a man iu the morning to take it up In a few daj a prisoner came back again for the cheque, but without the money, and witness sent it to the Bank of New Ze.laml, whence it was returned marked “No ace unt,” —J.. D, Wilson, assistant to Peterson, gave similar evidence, adding that prisoner came o him on the 13tb hist, and asked him to keep the cheque until the Wednesday or Thursday foil wing, by which time" he would see John Thomson and get the money for it. Wi ness icfused to give up tho cinque without the money.—Donald .Huait, ledger keeper in the bank of New Zealand, said the cheque produced was presented at the Bank by witness J, D. Wilson on t> e 20th inst M and witness returned it to him marked ‘No ac-count.”-Detective Neill said that from infer mation received he apprehended prisoner on the 20th inst, who showed him a letter purporting to have been written to him from Ravensbourne, and sig ed “ Thompson.” The cheque is_ endorsed “J. Tompson.” The hindwriting in the body of the cheque and that in the letter resemble each other. Prisoner said he got the letter at the post office, and described the man Thompson to witness, saying he lived at Baveusbourne or somewhere down that way. Witness had been to Havensbourne, Eothsav, and For Chalmers, but could find no man answering to the description given by prisoner.- That concluded the case for the prosecution, Sub-Inspector Mallard remarking that ho imagined the man “ Thompson ” was a myth, and expressing th-t opinio., that accused had exhibited a gre tt of subtlety— Prisoner said he was innocent of forging' the cheque,—The Bench could not think so, and prisoner was committed for uial at the next criminal session of the Supremo Court. Beastialiti. John Darcey was charged with committing this offence on board the schooner Melaine, at Rattray street jetty, yesterday. Prisoner was committed for trial.