DINED-DID NOT PAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 955, 24 April 1930, Page 12

DINED-DID NOT PAY

CIRCUS EMPLOYEES IN CITY RESTAURANT FRAUD CHARGE FAILS After having dined comfortably off 2s 9d meals in a City restaurant last evening, two circus hands, Alexander McDonald and John Alexander Innes found they had no money between them to pay. Their excuse, offered ill the Police Court today, on a charge of obtaining credit by fraud, that they had a 10s note on entering the cafe, was accepted by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., who dismissed the charges. Innes, a grocer, aged 24, and McDonald, a labourer, aged 24, who were represented •by Mr. Kells Mason, pleaded not guilty. Sub-Inspector Shanahan prosecuted. The cafe proprietor, Magnus Ross, stated the pair Inquired the price of the meals before ordering them. They knocked the crockery about at the table, and after finishing their meal one man bolted out of the door but was brought back. Every opportunlty was given to the pair to pay, and one declared he had had £l, hut could not find it. “This is the fourth occasion this has happened in the last two days.” added the witness. When interviewed by Constable Nicol, one man gave the name of Myers and the other declined to give any name. They asserted they were working for a circus at Mangere. Neither man had any money. Mr. Mason explained that the pair, who were engaged with a circus at Mangere, were paid 10s a day and their hoard. Before coming to town they were given £1 between them by the proprietress, and after having some drinks, they went to the cafe, Innes at that time having a 10s note in his possession. After the meal McDonald went outside, leaving his mate to pay. “Going into a restaurant and getting a meal without having means to pay for it is a very objectionable practice, on which courts are very severe,” observed Mr. Cutten, after hearing accuseds’ evidence. The magistrate was of opinion that an accident, such as losing one’s money, might happen to anyone, and it would be very awkward to have to face a charge of obl ainlng credit by fraud. He believed the young men were under the influence of liquor and that an accident had happened to their money.