POLICE OFFICE.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 72, 19 December 1844, Page 2

POLICE OFFICE.

Tuesday, Dicember I7tb, 1844. This morning a man named John Narrnway Darby was placed at the bar charged with having issued a promissary note with the siguatare of Messrs. Macfarlar.e attached. Patrick Donnovau proved having reoeived the note from Darby, and at ths time said he did not believe it to be the -iipiature of the Messrs. Macs farlane, and upon < . q nry found the note to be a forgery, when inlo uiuion was given to the chief constable, and the prisoner taken into custody. After“taking the if positions ot Mr. Macfarlane Mr, Donnovan ami the Chief Constable, the prisoner was remanded to tbe followiug day for fura liter evidence. Wednesday, December 18th, 1844. This morning John Darby, by trade a journeyman printer, who had been remanded from yesterday, (Tuesday) in ord* r to have the evidence of Mr. Moore, printer and proprietor ot the Auckland Chronicle, was again placed at the bar. In answer to questions put by F. Mathew, Esq. Chief Police Magistrate, Mr. Moore said that he was a printer,Knew tbe prisoner Datby, had been in his employ as a journeyman printer about eight months. He also knew Mr. John Macfarlane, had been iu the habit ftom time to time of p<inting debentures from six-pence to ha!f-a crown for him, had invariably made a practise of ..Hiking them off himself, not only for Mr, Macfarlane, but for any one that might employ him. Tbe prisoner Darby composed the types, and he [Mr. Moore) struck them off. Had made a regular practise of taking the debentures and form after having worked any off into his bedroom, and kept them there. Having occasion about a month ago to print some deben* tures for Mr. Macfaiiane, consisting of 200 sixpenny and one hundred sbilling debentures. At that time being called out of the office iu a hurry, he inadvertently left the debentures and types in the office, but on all previous occasions had taken them into his bedroom. He did not print the numbers on them. Had frequently seen Mr John Macfarlane fill them up aud sign them. His beds room was a separate apartment from tbe office. Was familiar with the handwriting of Mr. Macfarlane. The Magistrate here banded to the witness a note and asked him whether he believed the signature to be in the band writing of Mr. Macfarlane ? Witness. No. The note had been printed at bisfMr. Moore’s) office, the paper corresponded with those printed for Mr. Macfarlane, believed it it to have been taken from it. Had seen the prisoner write, had frequently received notes from (be prisoner. On looking again at the note and a book which was, found in the prisoner’s house, in which with other writing there were imitations of the signature in question, he thought they were written by the same party, had seen the book before at Mr. Williamson’s. Mr.W. bound it for Darby No one could have access to the premises without his knowledge, except the prisoner and an appren* tice boy, Michael Lamb, When he printed the last debentures, it was in November, it might have been on or near the 4tb. The Magistrate here asked the prisoner Darby if he had any question to put so the witness touching* the evidence he had given ? Pri oner replied in ibe negative. Tbe book being again handed to the witness lie was asked whether the writing bore any r.sems blance to the handwriting of the prisoner ? Mr, Moore could not say, because the notes which the prisouer had occasionally sent him, had been signed with.his surname only “ Darby." He (Witness) had bad occasion to leave thestown for a short time, the form was in tbe office at that time, on his return he wanted to go into the office, and was rather surprised to find the prisoner had got the key, he having given orders to the boy bee fore his departure to lock the door and take the key into tbe house. The Magistrate again gave the prisoner an opportunity of asking the witness any question. The prisoner wished Mr. Moore to say whether he did uot leave him ‘Darby’ in charge ot the office. The witness said that he gave written instructions as to Dai by’s employment and how he was to act iu liis absence.

In answer to a question put by his Worship, Mr. Moore said he bad discharged the prisouer from his services last Tuesday week. Mr. John Macfarlane was next called, two notes were handed to him, the number of the first 27 and’ tbe second 23, both of them he believed to be forgeries. Mr. George from tbe Exchange hotel had given the latter to him, that morning, he had not seen it before. Some one had presented it at the Exchange Tap, but who Mr. George could noi tell.

This being tbe conclusion of the evidence and the prisoner not calling any witnesses, bis Worship told tbe prisoner be stood committed to take his trial, The charge against him was for presenting a forged note. There was also presumptive evidence of his being guilty of forgery. Mr. Mathews said even if the prisoner produced the most qualified bail, he would not promise he would take it, he bad not however any desire to cause him to suffe. ‘hree months unnecessary imprisonment, but tf be the prisoner could get bail, he must let him know, and be would consider of it, The prisoner was then removed from the bar.

[We have heard of an instance, where a shop-keeper in Shortland Crescent, refused, yesterday, to take one of Messrs. Macfarlanes notes, fearing it was a forgery. Any person can easily perceive the false notes, as the forgery has been very clumsily done, and any person who has ever seen Messrs. Macfarlane’s real signature, will easily perceive the difference. However, in the case alluded to, tbe woman went down to the Commercial Inn, and got the note, which was a genuine one, changed, which we have no doubt will be done in any other case, where there is the least suspicion ; but as we before observed, the forgery is very badly done, and must be seen.]

St. John’s College.—We have much pleasure in being able to inform our Teaders that the necessary arrangements liave been concluded for the erection of the College. The Site selected is on the Tasnaki district about four miles from Auck-

land ; the contractor Mr. Coombs ; the Architect Sampson Kempthorn Esq. The v building is to be a scoria one, and to be completed by November 1845. The sum agreed upon for the erection of the College about £2OOO. We understand that a number of men are already employed. Post Office. —We are happy to hear that newspapers will be carried to and fro, between Auckland and the settlements to southward, by the postmen, for the future. Mr. Mathew is certainly doing all in his power to facilitate post communication *• throughout the colony. Died. —On Monday evening, at her residence, upon the Epsom Road, Mrs. Tucker, the wife of H. Tucker, Esq. (late ; Col. Store-keeper).