MAGISTRATES’ COURT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1467, 29 October 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURT.

CHRISTCHURCH. Tuesday, Octobeb 29th. [Before Gr. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] Drunk and Disobdbbly,—Philip Parker was fined 10s. Obtaining Monet undee False Pretences. —Seymour H. Saunders was charged with obtaining money and goods to the value of 20s, under false pretences. Jesse Horace Hall, the prosecutor in the case, said he kept the Eastern Hotel. The prisoner gave him on the Bth of August the cheque produced, which ho wrote at the bar, and asked if he could be obliged with the change. The cheque was for £1 Is 3d, and prosecutor gave him £1 back. Subsequently prosecutor gave the cheque to ’Ward and Co., and it was returned to him as valueless. He then applied to prisoner for the value of the cheque the day after it was returned from the bank dishonored, about the 14th of August. Prisoner «aid he had been compelled to do it, but he would see that the prosecutor was paid in a day or two. Alexander Lean, a clerk in the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, said the cheque produced was presented at the bank on.the 15th August, but was not cashed for want of suffice, t funds. Knew the prisoner who had had an account at the bank. The cheque was in the writing of the prisoner. Prisoner was informed of the state of his account at the bank on the 31st of July, at which date his balance was under £l. The credit was less than the amount of the cheque when it was presented, and ho had paid no money in eince. There was a second charge against the prisoner of obtaining the sum of £3 from William Seabrighfc by means of a valueless cheque. The prosecutor stated that on the 21st inst. the prisoner called at bis hotel and asked for pen and ink. Prosecutor directed him to the commercial room. He came back ehorfly afterwards and gave him the cheque produced for £3, prosecutor giving £2 19s 91 change. Subsequently prosecutor gave the cheque to James Hogg, gardener, and it was returned to him. Alexander Lean, bank <s]erk, gave similar evidence to that in the first case as to the presentation of the cheque at the bank on the 22ad of October, and its return as not provided for. Jesse Hall Baid he bad a conversation on the 16th of August with the prisoner, after seeing his name gazetted in the newspapers as insolvent. This was all the evidence in this case., A third charge was then preferred against the prisoner of obtaining goods and money from John Le Masurier on the 21st October. John Le Masurier, tailor, Cashel street, stated that the prisoner called at his shop on the 21st October, about half*past seven o clock in the evening. He purchased a hat for 10s, which he paid for, and then bought a dozen handkerchiefs, for which ho wrote a cheque (produced), 'for £l. He handed the prisoner eight shillings change, and goods to the value of 12s. Prosecutor sent the cheque to the bank the next morning, and it was returned as valueless. Alexander Lean, bank clerk, proved the presentation of the cheque, and its return as being valueless. His evidence as to the prisoner’s account at the bank was similar to that given by him in the other cases. This was the evidence. Prisoner said he wished to , make a statement; and not to take up the time of the Court, ho would plead guilty to all three charges. In the case of Mr Hall, he did not know that he had overdrawn his account, but with regard to the other two he was aware of it when he gave the cheques,' His Worship said he would accept the statement of the prisoner in the one case, and give him the benefit of the doubt, hut he was afraid it was another of the cases arising out of drink. The prisoner would be sentenced to four "months’ imprisonment, with hard labour, in two cases, the second sentence commencing at the expiration of tho first, in all eight months.