POLICE COURT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1847, 30 August 1906, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES. I9BHB At tbe Polica Court yesterday Peter Wiikio, a half-caste, was committed to stand his trial at the Supreme Oourt sittings nsxt month on a obarga of obtaining goods from looal tradesmen by means of falsa pretences. Detective Maddern conduoted the prosecution, and Mr Alston Coleman appeared for the defence. R. Mitchell, manager for Hannah and Co., stated that in May last accused purchased a pair of boots. He paid by a cheque, eigoed Peter Wilkie (produced) for iGS, which was returned endorsed “not suflioient funds.” Toe cheque had not been met, Mossrs J. W. Cook, draper, and A. Sandlant, tailor, alto gave evidenos of accused purchasing goods from them, payment for which had been given by ohrque. The ohequrs when presented wore reluruod marked 11 n.s.f.” S. A Gover, ledgor-k-eper, Bank of Australasia, gave evidenoo aa to tbo cheques returned to witness as being endorsed “ n.s.f.” Dsteotivo Maddern presented tho cheques a few days ngo, end was told that they were valueless. Accused's aooount had been c'osed.

Me Coleman, for defendant, stated that the accused acted in all innocence, and it was straining (be criminal law to turn what should have been civil actions for recovery of the amount owing in!o a criminal prosecution, Pi ter Wilkie, labor er, stated that when he gave the cheques he expected that certain moneys due to him would be paid into tbo bank. He did not know how his account stood at the bank, and first heard that the cinques had been dishonored when ha was arrested. Ha was not aware that since April 29 h there were fourteen dishonored oh: ques floating about. His Worship, in committing accused to trial, said tbo question was whether the acoused in giving the cheques had reasonable expectation that they would be met.