OFFICER S RETURNED CHEQUE

The Justice of Peace today framed charges against Lieutenant Malcolm Macdonald, of the Jats, under sections 467, 468 and 420 I.P.C. for alleged forgery for the purposes of cheating and directed him to take his trial at the High Court of Madras. It was alleged for the prosecution that accused on the 8th October last went to Krishniah Chetty and Sons, jewellers, in Commercial Street, and purchased a diamond and emerald ring and a toilet set for Rs 360 and gave a cheque signed as Lieutenant Gilbert for the amount. The cheque was returned uncashed and a complaint was lodged with the police. Accused, in the course of a statement filed in court, admitted having passed the cheque, and stated that he had no intention whatever to commit fraud or dishonesty. He had since paid the amount in full to Krishniah Chetty. He did not attempt to reflect on the possible consequences. He attributed his action to absolute ignorance and also to mental exhaustion following repeated illnesses and consequent physical debility.

PEOPLE S & AMRITSAR BANKS

Justice Broadway today passed orders on the proposal made by Harkishan Lal to liquidate all his liabilities to the People’s Bank and Amritsar Bank, details of which were published some time ago. It may be remembered that on the application of the official liquidators to recover the amount due by Harkishan Lal, Justice Broadway passed a payment order of 21 lakhs in respect of the People’s Bank’s claim, and of one lakh in respect of the Amritsar Bank’s claim. After prolonged negotiations Harkishan Lal raised his offer to 25 lakhs, payable by instalment by February, 1919. Mr. Belmoria, the new official liquidator, recommended the offer for His Lordship’s sanction stating that the terms were advantageous to the creditors. A creditor, however, objected and urged the attachment of all Harkishan Lal’s properties and other methods of execution.

JORABAGAN COURT SENSATION

At about 11-30 A.M. on Monday, a serious stabbing affray took place on the landing facing Mr. Keays’ Court at Jorabagan. There was a dispute between two Indians, words led to blows, and one of the men Garoo Kahar, is reported to have whipped out a knife and stabbed Haro Podo Dey very severely on the body. The latter dropped unconscious, while the accused attempted to run away, but was caught by Sergeant Lewis. The injured man was immediately removed to the Mayo Hospital by the Jorabagan Police, and the other man was placed under arrest.