MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 925, 25 June 1903, Page 1

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

ALLEGED FRAUD.

At the Magistrate’s Court yostorday morning a number of charges were heard against George R. Adrian, music teacher, Wairoa, for issuing valueless cheques, Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., presided. The first charge brought against the accused was for issuing a valueless cheque for £1 on May 27th, with intent to defraud J. H. Gittos.

Accused pleaded not guilty, and Sergt. Siddelis conducted tho prosecution. John Henry Gittos, a piano and music agent, stated that the accused came to his shop and purchased two books at Is each. Accused gavo witness a chequo for £1 on the Bank of Now Zealand,.Wairoa, to which witness gave him 18s change. Witness lodged tho cheque in tho Union Bank, and in tho course of a fortnight it was returned with tho instructions, “ Not provided for,” Accused camo into witness’ shop with Mr Proudlosk the aftornoon provious, and accused was sober when ho gave witness the cheque.

Detective Nixon stated he arrested the accused on tho present charge on tho 17th inst. Accused said to witness: “I am sorry to got into this trouble. It was all in y own fault. What led up to this trouble.” Witness replied that several complaints had been made about valueless cheques issued by accused during the previous fortnight. Mr Boyd, Bank manager, had been seen, and stated that when the accused left Wairoa he knew that he had no money in the Bank except Is 6d. Therefore his cheques were valueless. Accused replied : “Yes, that is quite true. I did withdraw all my money except Is 6d before I came to Gisborne, but if I can get back to Wairoa I will arrange this all right. I got on the Bpree, unfortunately, and have not got back yet.” Accused was sworn, and stated that if he could have got back to Wairoa he would have made provision for funds to have met the cheque. Accused was unable to return on account of his horse being taken away. Ho was sorry he went on the spree in Gisborne, but on his return to Wairoa the cheques would bo met and paid for. By Sergt. Siddelis : He was detained through his horse being taken away. He was aware that coaches ran through to Wairoa every week. Through the strength of tho note received witness drank heavily and forgot to make provision for the cheque.

His Worship : There is no doubt you are guilty of the offence. Sentence would be deferred until the other cases were heard.

Accused was also charged for a similar offence with intent to defraud W. T. Larsen of il on May 27th. William Theodore Larsen, licenseo of the British Empire Hotel, stated that accused caino to his house, accompanied by another gentleman, on May 27th, and asked for accommodation. Accused wrote a cheque (produced) for j£l, which he tendered for two drinks. Sixpence exchange was stopped, and the change given to accused was ISs 6d. Accused was perfectly sober when the transaction took place. Witness forwarded the cheque to tho bank, and it was returned marked “ not provided for.” Witness saw the accused in tho Turanganui Hotel seven or eight days afterwards, and he made no attempt to refund the money, but seemed to get out of tho road. Detective Nixon gave similar evidence to that given by him in the previous charge. Accused stated that he did not intend to come on to Gisborne ; he was only coming to Tarewa. He had no money in his pocket, hence his reason for issuing the cheques, intending to have money in the bank three days after his return to Wairoa to meet the cheques. His Worship found the accused guilty. Accused was further charged with the attempt to defraud Ernest Woollright of the sum of £1 on the 12th June. Accused pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Siddells applied for an adjournment, os he wished to have the bank manager from Wairoa present. Accused asked that the ease should be proceeded with, as ho had his book which showed his transactions with the bank.

Accused was remanded for seven days (July Ist). Adrain was also charged for issuing a valueless cheque to Ernest Woollright to the amount of £5 on June 15th.

Accused pleaded not guilty, and stated that the cheque had not bosn piGSSntßd yet. He was also remanded lor this offence until July Ist.