MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1576, 8 March 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Saturday, March 8, [Before GL L. Hellish, Esq., R.M.] Obtaining Money Under False Pretences.—Elizabeth Wells was charged with obtaining money under false representations. Mr Neck appeared for the accused. Fanny Hostage deposed that she was a widow. The accused was her mother-in-law. Her husband had been employed on Clifton’s station, Invercargill, up to the time of ids death. Since then accused bad been collecting money ostensibly on her (witness’s) behalf and appropriating the same to her own uses. She had never authorised her to solicit subscriptions for her. Win. Henry Porter, landlord of the Shades, deposed that three months ago the accused applied to him for charitable relief, for the purpose of getting her daughter-in-law to Christchurch. She had a list with her, and the name of Mr Savage was down upon it for £l, which induced him to give her a similar sum. Samuel Howard, clerk to Mr Wilson, seedsman, Cashel street, deposed that the accused called on his employer, who, he believed, gave her some money. At this stage the Bench said it was no use proceeding further with the case. The charge of fraudulent representation could not be sustained, although the conduct of the accused had been highly reprehensible, and the case was not dismissed upon its merits. The case vras accordingly dismissed.