POKENO

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 355, 22 February 1918, Page 2

POKENO

TALE OF A CHEQUE

MYSTERIOUS TELEPHONE

MESSAGE

At the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court yesterday Cyril Albert Hoskins, a flaxrnill hand in the employ of Messrs Douglas Bros, at Meremsrp, near Mercer, was charged with hiving on February 15th obtained the sum of £ls by means of false pretences from Alfred James Bourne, manager at Pokeno for Messrs Wallace and Co

Constable Horan prosecuted and defendant who pleaded not guilty, was defended by Mr Cyril M*hony.

El ie Nellie Gadd, assistant at the Pokeno store, gave evidence as to receiving a telephone message, which she gave to Mr Bourne. The mes she understood, came from Mr Sandy Douglas. Alfred Jas. Bourne deposed that subsequent to the telephone message accused entered the store and said to him "Did you get a message from Sandy," to which he (witness) replied in the nhirma f ive. Witness then gave him a cheque for £ls, thinking it was being advanced to Alexander Douglas and knowing that accused worked for Dmglas. The message Miss Gadd had given him was that Saady Dmglas had telephoned "Give Hoskins £l2 or £l-1 as he is making a deal for us." Witness later on happeued to be spo tking on the telephone to Franz Dmglas and learnt that Sandy Douglas w>:s in Auckland

Alexander Ooiglis stated that on February loth he was away in Auckland and did n>t ring up Wallace & Co. <m tlia' day. Constable H'»ran spoke to having arreste ) the accused on the Wellington express at Mfcrear at 8-15 pm on tne loth iust, when accusal said "Itii nil a mistake. I r.ing up Bourae in my own name and I never mentioned Mr Douglas' name in the matter at all."

The accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial to the .Supreme Court, luil ben? offered in his jvvn !•■•■! icrtiisanco of £o() and one surety of £SO.