THE CHEQUE CASE

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 927, 27 June 1903, Page 2

THE CHEQUE CASE

, (To the Editor of the Times), j Sir, —The case of the unfortunate man Adrian, convicted of issuing valueless cheques with intent to defraud, calls for , some comment. On tbe evidence Adrian [ hud Is 6d to his credit in the Bank in [ Wairoa. He issued three cheques of ouo , pound each. Intending (so he said) to be tn Wairoa before tbe cheques could be presented and to arrange lor their being honored. He was prevented from getting back to Wairoa in time to do this. There may have been fradulent intention but it was not proved. It would be impassible r ’o prove that he did not intend to provide tor rhe cheques being honored. If the act of issuing a cheque when there are not sufficient funds to meet it is a crime deserving of imprisonment, and if every one guiity of the crime were to get their deserts, the prisons in the colony might be inconveniently crow led. Tbe writer of this letter would - for one have suffered a term of imprisonment. A person may write a cheque when there are insufficient funds to meet under various circumstances without criminal intention. First: (as Adrian aid) Knowing that there are not sufficient funds to meet it, but intending to pay in before the cheque is presented ; second : Thinking that mere wero funds and being mistaken ; third : Under the impression that money had been placed to his credit, which had not been so placed. Under any of these circum stances a person issuing a cheque may be acting carelessly and foolishly, but not criminally,—l am, etc.,

v.c. (Me are afraid that if everyone was as kind-hearted as our correspondent, business people would have a iiarassing time in coping with the neglectful ones. When a stranger to the place gives out cheques, and receives proportionately large amounts in change, though he has it or money in the ban k to meet the cheques, it is probable that a coid world will not view the matter leniently.—Ed.)