ISSUE OF VALUELESS CHEQUES

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 12, 4 January 1924, Page 2

ISSUE OF VALUELESS CHEQUES

AN ARREST MADE. Suspected Man Identified. An arrest has been made of a man who is suspected to have issued valueless cheques to Morrinsville and Matamata businessmen early in November. The arrest was made at Rotorua on Boxing* Day, and the suspect, who gave his name as Thomas Steele Duncan, was brought to Morrinsville on Thursday. Placed among a number of other men most of the shopkeepers concerned identified him as the wanted man. He was brought before the court at Morrinsville on Friday morning and formally charged with the offence. A remand for eight days was requested by the police as other charges were pending* against him. This was granted by the justice, Mr. C. M. Gummer. Accused’s application for bail was refused and he was taken to Thames by the morning* train. On November 10 a man bearing* every appearance of the average honest farmer and giving his name as James Gordon entered several of the Matamata shops and selecting goods tendered cheques purported to be issued by James McNieol on the Bank of New Zealand, Te Aroha. The cheques were in each case much larger than the value of the goods, and the man received change for the balance. A few days later it was ascertained that the cheques were and a warrant was issued for the man’s arrest.