To the Editor of the OTAGO DAILY TIMES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 173, 5 June 1862, Page 5

To the Editor of the OTAGO DAILY TIMES.

Sir, —On the 3rd May I was arrested in Dunedin on a charge of obttiiuinsr mono? from one Septime Sliben, of Oineo, by means of a fraudulent check. I Ir>p3 to be allowed simply to stato .the circumstances under which this cheque was given.

In the month of January I was filling the position of clerk of Petty Sessions at Omeo, where Slioen is a storekeeper. On or about the 10th of that month I received a letter from the Crown law officers in Melbourne, stating my office was abolished. I sent to SJiben, and gave him'the cheque in question for his balance of aeciunt, believing my salary had bsenpaid intotlio Bank of. Victoria, as requested by me. This is my simple defence ; and i.i support of it I yesterday produced, _by-my attorney, Mr. South, two declarations,. one made by Mr. Forber^. the accountant in the Grown Law Office—that I did sn advise him, but that owing to tie audition of ray office, of which iie knew, but of which I. was in ignorance, no salary was paid, in ; in fact, none was due to me for the month of January. I arrived in Melbourne about the loth January, and was led to believe, on a Cabinet minister's promise, that some compensation would be awardel me. It never was. I wrote to Mr. Wills, the police magistrate of Omeo, to this effect. He, by my wish, explained to Sliben how it was my cheques not be paid,"and I be lieved they wouid have teen held until I was able to p-iy them. The other declaration was from Jerm'in Nicholson, Esq., J.P., of Melbourne, declaring that I did write him, as a Director of the Batik of Vie tnria, that I hiutso requested Mr. Forberg, aarl that I wished my signature inada known at the bank. These two declarations my friends thought would clear up the charge—they probably might, but two other cheques were also given- Mr. Jack, of Omeo, with whom I lodged, for board and residence. The same explanation was offered him by my.seif by letter, and I believe no warrants are issued in his case. However, it' has transpired to the authorities that lie holds the two cheques; and yesterday this fresh charge was brought against mo. My defence is the same, and Mr. Stiwle again remanded, me, to obtain further evidence of my innocence from .Melbourne. I prefer, however, to i'aee the charges ; and this day have surrendered in Court, expressing my wish to go at once to Melbourne. Air. Strode has''most kindly accepted Capt. M'Lean, of the Aldinga's, personal security to surrender me in Melbourne, to answer any charge, ami I leave this day.

To ray many friends in Dunelin, I feel it to be due that I make this public statement; and, with a firm consciousness of my innocence, I look forward to my return to this place thoroughly cleared *of this heavy charge.

I am, Sir, - Yours respectfully, William I!btan, Lately C.P.S., Omeo, Victoria.