VALUELESS CHEQUES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10604, 1 June 1920, Page 3

VALUELESS CHEQUES

A PECULIAR CASE DRUGS AND DRINK: ACCUSED ADMITTED TO PROBATION. A somewhat unusual pica was advane od J->y a man named Phillip Austin j Miushull (described as a shepherd) when | charged before Mr E. Page. S.M., in tho Magistrate's Court yesterday with having obtained the sum of -tli from Alfred Lulhain, manager of the Koyal Oak Hotel, in February, ,bv means of a valueless eheq ue. Mr 11. !<'. O'Leary appeared on behalf of Minshall, and entered a plea of not guilty. Detective Sergeant Lewis, who prosecuted, in outlining tho facts of the case, said that three cheques had been issued by tile accused—one on tho National Bank of New Zealand, Napier, for £25, and two upon the Wellington branch of the bank. When the firstmentioned cheque was presented he was told that it would have to be backed. Accused obtained backing, ■ but tho cheque was later sent back .from Napiei dishonoured. The other cheques weie made out at about the same time, and were also returned. AVhcn questioned, Minshall had stated that ho had lately been drinking and taking drugs. Mr O'Leary stated that Minshall had expected a draft upon tho Napier branch of the bank, mid, though ho had ndt received notification of the arrival of the draft from England, as ho had been | w«v fron. lu» usual address, had filled in tho cheques in the belief that they would bo honoured. Two of thorn had t been drawn upon the Wellington branch of tho bank, but. that was done, owing h> oversight or carelessness in neglectln<„' to alter tho cheque form. The. matter of the .ftjj had.already been adjusted l/\- the accused, and the other amounts would Ijo paid.' Accused had previously received drafts from England, once for i"?.CO, and the present draft, which was still to arrive, was for .£350 or .£4OO. Mr 11. F. O'Leary hold that the charge should he dismissed, as Minshall had not acted with guilfcv intent. The magistrate disagreed with counsel, for he said that as accused had previously had drafts from England ho should have had some under-standing of bank procedure, but he chose to issue cheques knowing that ho had no account; at the bank. Minshall was admitted to probation for three years, provisions being made that ho should abstain irom liquor and drugs during that period and should repay the monev owing.