MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1752, 1 October 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Wednesday, Octobsu 1. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.] JfOBSBBY AND D~ttebik&.—James Hamilton was oharged with forging and uttering a promissory note for £37, with intent to defraud. Mr R. D. Thomas appeared for the accused.and stated that he and Thomas Milner, whose name was endorsed on the promissory note, had been in partnership, but had lately been bankrupt. Milner was unable to writs, and had authorised his partner to sign his name to bills for money which was jointly owing by them. The promissory note in question had been endorsed by the accused by virtue of this agreement, in payment of a bill of £37 due to the prosecutor, who had made himself answerable for goods obtained by the aooused. Being subsequently sued in the Ashburton Resident Magistrate's Court for the value of the goods, the prosecutor had had to pay the money, and the promissory note with Milner's name on the back had been given him by the accused to recoup him for the loss. The evidence of Thomas Milner who was put in the witness-box, corroborated those facts, and he moreover said that if he and his partner had not gone bankrupt the bill would have been paid in due course, as his name bad been endorsed by his partner with his full authority. When asked by the police if the signature on the promissory note was his, he had answered in the negative being at the time in ignorance of the contents of the note. As it was obvious that no fraud had been intended, the Benoh at once dismissed the case.