BREACH OF POSTAL ACT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1917, Page 1

BREACH OF POSTAL ACT.

UNUSUAL CASE AT AI.ETH Y 7 EN Christchurch, Jfily 21 At the Rakaia Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr T. A. Blackley, J.P., and Mr C. Tucker, J.P., Patrick Brick, farmer, ot Mitcham, was charged under the Post and I’elegraph Act with making a false declaration regarding the posting of valuables. Acting-Chief Detective M’llveney conducted the case for the prosecution. Albert George Seelen, postmaster at Methven, gave evidence that on May 24 the accused complained that he had posted a letter to the Receiver of Land Revenue at 'Christchurch, and it had not reached its destination. He stated that it contained three twenty-pound notes and fifteen shillings worth of penny stamps, and that it was posted at Methven on January 25. The accused signed the customary form, which contained a. warn mg notice that it was au offence to make a false notice. Thomas Harrison, farmer at Wainiarama, near Methven, said that the accused had done ploughing for him. On November 21 he handed the accused a cheque for £65, and on January 15 one for £33 5/6. He had not paid him a cheque for £65 in January. G. W. Palmer, Receiver of Land Revenue, said that the accused leased a Government farm at Mitcham, the half-yearly rent being £6O 18/4. Up to January acmsed lmd paid promptly, but nothing was received in January. On March . 6 witness sent out a notice that the rent had not been paid. He received a reply dated April 1. He liad not deceived the uioriby as alleged and he wrote asking accused-to make inquiries. In reply he received a letter dated June Bth. Detective-Sergeant Gibson said that on June 8 be inlemiewed the accused at Mitcham and asked for particulars of the money letter. He said that it contained three twentypound notes, which be. bad got by Chsliirlg a ehcejne ior £6o received from Harrison tinting .lahuary. He did not remember where he bought the stamps. Accused was shown the two cheques, and then confessed that he had never sent, the money. He was hard up at tlie time, and thought that by making a complaint be would get, more time. ' The accused pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence at the next sitting of the Supreme Court.