RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT. FOXTON.

Manawatu Herald, 26 August 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT. FOXTON.

Tuesday, August 23, 1881. (Before Mr E. S. Thynne, J.P.) DRUNK AXD DISORDERLY. Duncau Martin, charged with the above offence, was fined 53, or 24 hours' imprisonment. He paid the fine. Wednesday, August 24, 1881. (Before Mr G. W. Russell, J.P.) FALSE PRETENCES. John Dawson, charged with the above offeucej was, on the application of Constable M'Anulty, remanded until the following day. Thursday, August 25, 1881. (Before Meßsrs E. S. Thynne and G. VV. Russell, J.P.'s.) VAL9E PRETENCES. John Dawson, laborer, was brought up on remand, charged with obtaining goods under, false pretences. Constable M'Anulty prosecuted. The Bench determined to deal with the case summarily. John J. Robinson, manager of the Foxton Ready Mouey Store, deposed that on the 22ud instant prisoner came to the store and asked for a pair of moleskia trousers ; he purchased them, and tendered in payment a cheque for £1 7s in favor of Peter Murry, and signed by John Dawsoii ; witness asked him about the cheque, and he said that it was a good one, aud that his (prisoner's) name was J>. Arcy ; he had doubts of the genuineness of the cheque, and after giving prisoner the change, told him to wait until ho was able to scud and ascertain if the chnque was a good one ; he refused ; witness thereupon locked the door upon which prisoner made use of "flowery" language, sayiug he " would break the door open", and its he was st;onger than witness, he let him go ; he escaped out of the side door ; upon the assistant coming in, ho sent to the Bank and ascertained the cheque was a valueless one ; he then went after him and got borh the trousers and money back, with the exception of 5s ; he mentioned the circumstances to Mr Futter, and fouud that prisoner had given to him a cheque sisrned D. Arcy, which prisoner ha I said was hia name ; he therefore gave iuformition to the policy and prisoner was .apprehended. Cross-examined by prisoner— l did not promide not to take action against you if you repaid the money ; I told you the best thing you could do would be to leave the town at once, but when I found you had give:* another valueless cheque I told the police. C. Honore. storekeeper, deposed—Prisoner came to my store and asked me for a blank cheque on the B ink of Australasia ; I gave him the form produced ; I identify it by the number on the cheque agreeing wit h the butt in my book. Cross-examined by prisoner — You have given mo a cinque before for £5, but that was one signed by Mr M'Lennan, of Oroua Down*. E. G. Cox, agent of the Bank of Australasia, deposed — I have seen this cheque before ; it was brought to me about 8 p.m. ou Monday evening, when I stated there was no account at my bank kept by John Dawaon ; it was not presented in the or dinary way ; no one of the name of John Dawaon ever had an account at the Foxton brauch. Constable M'Anulty said that when he arrested prisoner he found him disposed to talk ; he therefore cautioned him that anything he said might be used against him ; he stated that he filled up the cheque, but with no intention to defraud. Prisoner admitted the offence, but said it was his intention to pay back the money. He asserted the complainant said he would compromise the matter if he did so. The Beuoh said offences of this kind were very frequent and must be put down. Prisoner should b« very thankful he was not sent to the Supreme Conrt. The case had been fully proved, and he would be sentenced to sismonths' imprisonment with hard labogp in Tf anganui Gaol.