B. M. COURT, NAPIER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 215, 18 January 1865, Page 3

B. M. COURT, NAPIER.

(Before J. Curling, Esq., R.M.) TUESDAY. JANUARY 17, 1865. DRUNKENNESS. James Bradshaw was charged with having been drunk in the town of Napier on the 16th inst Fined 55., or 4.8 hours imprisonment. OBTAINING- MONEY UNDER PALSE PRETENCES. Joseph Grant was charged by R. W. I. Carver with obtaining £lO from him under false pretences. R. W. I. Carver on oath said: lam a chemist in Napier. Between 12 and 1 o’clock on Saturday last, the 14th inst., the prisoner came into my shop. I had seen him before in the street, but I knew nothing at all about him. When he came into my shop lie handed me the cheque I now produce in Court, [marked A] and asked me to change it. 1 looked at it, and seeing the signature, “ Sandy Grant,” I enquired ot him if it was Sandy Grant up the country, and ho said it was. I then said, “ I suppose it is all safe,” and he answered that he wished ho had twenty of them. He then directed my attention to its being endorsed on the back. At the time I just glanced at it, and saw that it was endorsed by Sandy Grant. I then gave him a £5 note, and either five sovereigns or five £1 notes —I forget which. He then immediately left the shop, and I have not since seen him until now. lam quite certain ho is the man. After he left I observed that tho cheque was also endorsed with the name of Joseph Grant. I did not do anything on Saturday, but on Monday, as soon as the Banks were open, I took the cheque to the Union Bank, upon which it was drawn, to pay it in. I was there told that they had no account in the name of Sandy Grant. I afterwards applied at the Bank of New Zealand, and they gave me the same answer. I then enquired of Mr Sutton if he knew anything of such a person as Joseph Grant, and he said “Yes,” and that he had attempted to pass an order upon him. Whilst I was there, Mr. Brandon, the Manager of tho Bank of New Zealand, came in with another cheque, which 1 saw. It was signed Joseph Grant,” and made payable to Joseph Grunt,. We then compared the two cheques, and came to the conclusion that both were in the same handwriting. By the advice of Mr. Brandon I acquainted Sergt.-Major Scully with the matter, and I heard afterwards that the prisoner had been apprehended. I have not recovered any portion of my ten pounds.—l wish to alter an error in my statement, where I said I saw it was endorsed by Sandy Grant. I should have said “Joseph Grant,” and after he left the shop 1 saw also “Sandy Grant" endorsed on the cheque. Daniel Hunt, policeman, on oath stated; Sergt.Major Scully apprehended the prisoner yesterday, and gave him in charge to me. I took him to the lockup and searched him there, and found only 15s. cash upon him. I found neither papers, orders, nor cheques upon him. ; The prisoner, on being asked, replied that he had nothing to say. The prisoner was committed to take his trial at the nest criminal sittings of the Supremo Court, Napier, and the witnesses were bound over to prosecute in the sum of £SO each. OBTAINING MONEY UNDER FALSE PRETENCES. Joseph Grant was charged by William Williams with obtaining money from him under falsa pretences. W. Williams on oath said: I am a baker in this province. Yesterday, about half-past 1, the prisoner came to me in my own house, and presented to me a cheque for £lO, which I now produce in Court [marked B.] It was signed with the name of Sandy Grant, and endorsed with the names of Joseph Grant and Sandy Grant. The cheque was left with mo with tho understanding that to-day ho was to come and take it up, and pay his bill, when his uncle came in town, as he expected him to-day. He then left. I shortly afterwards went to the Union Bank to see if tho cheque was genuine. They told me that no such person had an account there, and that I had better go to the Bank of New Zealand. I went there, and they told me it was a swindle. The prisoner, at the lime he presented tho cheque, got only 9s. from me, but two or three days before ho had purchased various articles of grocery, &c., at my shop, amounting to about £9. I saw no more of him till he was apprehended.

The prisoner, on being asked, replied that he had nothing to say. The prisoner was committed to take his trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court in Napier, and the plaintiff was bound over to prosecute in the sum of £6O.