Juvenile Forgers.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 139, 9 July 1872, Page 7

Juvenile Forgers.

We learn from the B'.nV;i> Advertiser that a case came before the local police court on the 9th of Mav, in which two boys, children in fact, were charged with forging and uttering, which presents many remarkable features, and more than anything else illustrates the want of parental control. The respective ages of the boys were fourteen and thirteen years, the elder being a bov named McDonald, and the other Collier. It appears that Collier found an Oriental Bank cheque-book with a few leaves on it in Mr John Marwick’s backy-ard. A boy named Richard Williams suggested that they should try and raise money on the cheques, and this amongst the boys was agreed to, but M‘Donald was looked to as completing the matter. The boys assembled at the Hustler’s Reef, and after borrowing pen and ink they proceeded to fill up several cheques, each one taking more or less interest in the matter. At last one in which Mr John Marwick’s name was written sitisded the boys, and it was then filled in with the sum of £lO, and the name of Mr John Marwick was forged. A boy named Chelan wrote one part of the name, and M‘Donald finished it, and then M‘Donald, Collier, and another named Wright went to get it cashed. Collier was apparently put forward by his more astute companions, and ho purchased a suit of clothes at Messrs Mofiit and Kittson’s, and presented the cheque in payment. The cheque was token to the bank and cashed, and the £9 balance returned to Collier. With this money the boys went to Melbourne, and McDonald sj cut it shouting rides for other boys. Then they came back to Sandhurst and were arrested. The whole case unmistakably points to the want of proper home control. The signature of “John Marwick” on the cheque was not at all like Marwick’s signature, and the boys signing it never thought or trouh’ed their heads whether it was like or not. M‘Donald and Collier were committed for trial.