MORE FOOL THAN ROGUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3532, 2 September 1926, Page 3

MORE FOOL THAN ROGUE.

FARMER. IMPRISONED FOR TWO MONTHS. “He is really more of a fool than a rogue,” commented Senior-Detet'-tive Quirkc at the Palmerston N. Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, when Lionel Bishop, farmer, of Inglewood, appeared before Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, charged with issuing three valueless cheques of £1 at Awakino, £3 at Eltham, and £2 16s 9d at Martoh. Accused pleaded guilty to all three charges. Senior-Dete'ctive Quirke explained that accused had been a farmer in the Manawatu district, but in 1924 was declared bankrupt. Up till last year, the police knew nothing about him, hut during the past twelve months he appeared to have “cut a bit loose.” There was a 'charge pending , against him at Napier for a similar offence, the amount involved being about £6O, for which he bought a motor-car. He was a married man until four children, the eldest being V years and the youngest six months. His Worship asked if there was any objection to probation being granted, and the detective stated that lie Jjficl none. In fatet, lie thought that, given a chance, Bishop would make restitution. “When a man comes on a bad time, we don’t want to be too hard, ’ commented bis Worship, who adjourned proceedings until the probation officer forwarded a report. “The report of the probation officer is not favourable, and I cannot extend probation to you,” stated his Worship on resumption of the case. He sentenced Bishop to two months imprisonment at Napier on each charge, the sentences to be con'curvcnt.