Passing a Valueless Cheque.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7905, 22 August 1905, Page 2

Passing a Valueless Cheque.

Local Clothing Company Victimised, j At the New Plymouth Police Court on Monday a middle-aged man named James McLean was charged with obtaining goods and money to the value of £lO irom Henry N. Goldwater by means of lalae pretences, to wit, a valueles cheque. Sergeant Haddrell prosecuted. Accused, when questioned, .said he did not wish to be summarily tried.

Henry Nathan' Goldwater stated that he carried on ousiness under the style of the Auckland Clothing Company in Devon Street. About on Saturday morning the accused spoke to witness in front of the shop. He passed the time of day, ami mentioned that he expected some money, and would be in during the afternoon to make some purchases. Witness replied that lie .woukl be happy to do business. Between 12.30 arid 1 o'clock accused returned and said to witness ' "They have sent that money. I was not sure which bank they were . putting it in, but I have been advised that it is in the Bank of New South Wales." He thereupon presented witness with the cheque (produced) for (£lO, drawn by James McLean on the Bank of New South Wales. Witness asked whose cheque it was, and accused replied that it was his own. He also stated that he was going away to Waitara on Monday morning to take charge of the Waitara Freezing Works plant as engineer. Witness supplied him with goods to the value of £3 4s Gd, and handed him the balance of £6 15s *6d in cash. After making inquiries on Saturday afternoon witness subsequently handed the cheque to the police. To the accused : You said nothing to me about money being payable on Monday. George Airowsmith, proprietor of tuc Coffee Palace, stated that the accused had stayed at the Coffee Palace about a week ago. At 11 a.m. on Saturday accused met witness in , the street, and asked for a cheque form, saying he wanted to send it to . his wife for signature. Witness supplied the cheque form, which was [identical in number with the cheque |produced.

Frank B. Bell, teller at the Bank of New South Wales, deposed that the cheque in question had been presented. No person of that name had an account at the bank, nor had any money been paid into Accused's credit at the bank.

Detective Boddam deposed that when he arrested the accused on Saturday afternoon, the latter said : "It ilk . a ". lisht ' Thc Noney will be >n the hank on Monday next " WifaCCUS > cil wcarin K s °nie of theclothes purchased, while the remainder of the goods were found in .2M* 0 ? whlc , h . 's engaged that day of I T aranakl , Hotel - At the time of aucst, accused had a sum of £3 in tois possession. Accused pleaded guilty to the Ai a n C ' Ind1 nd - Was rcman<iwl to the Auckland criminal sessions for sen-