CARELESS TRACING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 10236, 2 July 1883, Page 2

CARELES S TRACING.

The Hawke's Bay Herald says that I while it does not entirely endorse the remarks of Chief Justice jfrendergast in condemning the wide spread practice of giving and taking cheques— for the_ system has its advantages as well as disadvantages, and safeties as well as dangers —it must he admitted ;that in many instances his strictures are but too applic* able. A most singular instance of carelessness in cashing a worthless cheque was made public in the Resident Magistrate's Court. A girl — a servant at Mr Waddell's — owed an account of £1 8a to a draper, and tendered in payment a cheque, stating it was one of Mr Waddell's. Now, in the first place the cheque was not dated — an omission of which a business man like Mr Waddell would not be guilty. In the second place it was filled up " Pay to Mr Burton the sum of .£6 — 00." That is not a business man's way of filling up a cheque — he would write " six pounds." In the third place the amount was stated in the left hand corner, to be "£6000." In the fourth place' the signature was '"A. Maddle," instead of " A. Waddell," as it purported to be. In the fifth place the handwriting was that of an - illeducated female. In the sixth place it is generally known in business circles that Mr Waddell signs all cheques "Thomson and C 0.," and not in his ownname. Set, in the face of these six reasons to the contrary — and any one of the s'ik should have caused the rejection of the document — the cheque was taken and cashed, a receipt given for the £1 8s the girl owed, and the balance, £4, 12s, handed to her in cash. The Besident Magistrate commented strongly on i the carelessness shown in the transaction, and his censure was justifiab'e. Such want of care is little short of active* encouragement to dishonesty