MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 958, 27 October 1910, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. W. G. Eiddell, S'.M.)

SAVINGS BANK FORGERY,

v THE ACCUSED OWN TIP. Two young men named Robert Ernest Powell, _ nineteen years of age, cycle mechanic, and Raymond Saunders, seventeen years of age, were charged with forging the name- of Eric Walter Arrow on September 22 to a Post Office Savings Bank withdrawal slip.for tie sum of .£lB, and also that they did utter the same to Francis Taylor Bennington with intent that it should be acted upon as genuine., Mr. Percy Jackson defended the accused Saunders. Powell, was net represented by counsel.

Brio Walter Arrow, storeman, residing at'9s Ghuznee Street, Wellington, stated that, on September 17, he had an account in. the Post Office Savings Bank, ' the amount on deposit being ,£lB 9s. 6d. On that date he saw his bank-book (which he . kept locked up in a portmanteau in his bedroom), but on October 1 it was missing. ' He reported the matter to the Post Office Savings Bank, and then to the police. He did not authorise or ' sign tho withdrawal shown to him in Court by Chief-Detective Broberg. In September, Saunders occupied a room next to his in the Central Coffee Palace. ■', '

•; Evidence as to the withdrawal of tho money from the bank was also given. '. Detective Osborne, of Christchurch, said that he had interviewed Saunders at the Christchurch Detective Office on October 8 in' connection with another matter, and he made a statement which witness committed to writing, and which Saunders afterwards signed. He later interviewed Powell at the Christchurch Detective Office, and read to- him the statement made by Saunders. Powell also made a statement, which witness committed to writing. .. Saunders stated that he and Powell had removed the portmanteau from Arrow's room at the Coffee Palace, and had stolen the bankbook. After practising Arrow's signature (taken from a letter found in the portmanteau),■, they went to Petone to draw the money from the bank. Thoy were unsuccessful at Petone, and so returned to Wellington, where' Powell drew .618 from tho Savings Bank, and gave him £9 of it. .He returned the money fifteon minutes later, saying that he did -not wish to bo mixed up in the affair.

Powell's statement was that he gave .£9 to Saunders, who' did not return it again. Powell, on oath, said that tho statement made by him to detective Osborne at Christchurch was not correct,- inasmuch as Saunders hnd kept tho money. Both accused pleaded guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court '.' for sentence. Bail was allowed Saunders in the sum' of .£SO and ono surety of .£SO. In accordance with a recent ruling of Mr. Justice Williams Powell'was refused bail.

OTHER CASES. William Henry Mitchell was charged with being an idle and disorderly person, and with placing himself in Lambton Quay, a public place, for-tho purnose of 'begging alms. The police evidence was to the effect Hint accused went into several shops' asking for money, and l'?.d also stopped people in tho street. I:'" was sentenced to three months' im--UiirtUJllftß''

Robert Anderson, who had been twice convicted' in the last six months for being drunk, was fined 20s. for the same offence, in default seven days' imprisonment. Two first-offending inebriates were fined ss. 0r.'24 hours, and. another was convicted nnd discharged, haying consented to a prohibition order being made out against him. . William Lavery, on the charge of criminally assaulting a girl H years and four months of age, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail being .allowed of £100, with one surety of .£IOO. or two of .£SO. Mr. Herdman appeared for the.accused. .• ~,,,. Francis M'Cann was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Cuba Street on October 22. The case was adjourned after a partial hearing until .October 30, bail being allowed in £3. Mr. Jackson appeared for the defence.