A DANGEROUS JOKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 718, 14 January 1903, Page 4

A DANGEROUS JOKE.

A MAORI AND A CHEQUE. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday Ea Bartlett was charged before Mr Bainoe, S.M., with attempting by a valueless cheque to obtain from Rose McLean, at Gisborne, the sum of £7O. The offence was alleged to have been committed on December 29th. Mr Jones appeared for the defence, and Sergeant Siddclls conducted the prosecution. Rose McLean, draper, of Gisborne, stated that on December 80th a Maori woman came to her shop and selected some drapery to the value of lbs. -bne tendered a cheque for £7O in payment. Witness could not cash the cheque, and told her to go to the bank. Tlie Mnou woman camo back, but with no money, anti from what slio told witness, the latter went to the bank and presented the cheque. Witness did not give any goods to Che

Maori woman. , ~ By Mr Jones: Witness went to the bank, as she understood from the native woman that she could not get the white men to understand. II E. Dodd, accountant at the Bank oi New South Wales, stated the cheque produced was brought to the bank by Mrs | McLean. It purported to be signed by Ba. Bartlett. No person of that name had an account at his bank. lbe cheque was from the cheque-book of W. N. Attwood. Maora Tatao, of Pakowai, stated accused was a son-in-law of hers. She got the cheque from accused and gavo it to Mrs McLean to cash. She did not understand writing. Accused said when bo gave her the cheque, “ This is for you, and did not tell her to take it anywhere. He did not tell her to buy anything. Witness intended to buy a shawl. Her idea was to change the cheque, take £l t and give him the balance, and she intended to repay him the El. \V. N. Attwood, . secondhand dealer, stated.ho knew accused, who was in bis shop on December' 27th. His chequebook was kept in the hack ot his shop, and on that day ho saw accused pass through the back of his shop. Accused had 'no authority to take his chequebook. - -'- 1 • '' - Detective Nixon said he aryes.ed accused on December 31, and explained tLc charge. Accused said : “I am very sorry this has occurred, but I will explain it all to you. Accused said he went to. Attwood’s shop for the purpose of buying a key on jJcccuibcr 27 th j and fo'bnd a cheque book containing five blank cheques outside Atlwood’a door.' On December 29th when again, in Gisborne bo; went to the Empire .Hotel, obtained a pen and forthwith -filled in a blank cheque for E2 which he left in the hook. Ho filled in another for''<£7o, signed.hiaown nanie, and gavo this cheque, together with the hook containing, the other cheque blank forms, to his mother-in-law to take to Ins wife at Pakowai,"as he was afraid of getting into trouble by becoming drunk, He knew lie had no mrorfoy in the bank, hut he didinot tell his mother-in-law to pro-

sent the cheque. ' Mr Jones said it must bo clear that accused could not be-committed for trial.l'herb . was nothing,, against tho young 'man.,' The cheque.'was simply loft withthe old woman, and she took carte blanche with it, intending to take a pound. Even if-the money had. been obtained; tliore Abas nothing against the -young-mari,!. fffllctit there could have been no orirhm'lw&eh' 'the circumstances were complete ’ftliQy could-be, no intent to coin - mil- sueh a crinie. It wash'll-foolish thing for the young man to do', but ho was glad to seo defendant had riot .signed another man’s name like other Natives had. done." It was done in the way of a joke, with the Of making .himself out a big

man. "-.acrons joke. Ilia Worship,: A very rim. ■ that Mr Jones : Yes, but the only tin..,, eoulrl be alleged was that accused was issuing a valueless cheque tor goods. His Worship said there was not sutlicient ovidence to warrant him in sending, accused for trial-on the present char e. It was not for him to express au opinion as to the cheque book. Accused was discharged.