SIGNED BLANK PAPER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1524, 21 August 1912, Page 6

SIGNED BLANK PAPER.

■ » / WHAT HAPPENED? COUIIT TRYING TO FIND OUT. (By Telcerapii.—PrcM Associations ] Auckland, August 20. "I will investigate this case, thoroughly . and probe it to tho very bottom," dcclar- i ed 11 r. C. C. Kettle, S.M., at tho llagis- 1 hate's Court to-day. Tho case was ono ! in which a claim was mado by Patrick : K. Brosnahan (represented by Mr. Quartloy) against Mrs. Mary P. Bator (ilr. Mowletn) for .Cli 10s., tho amount of a promissory note given by defendant to plaintiff for money alleged to have been borrowed. Plaintiff stated that Mrs. Bator approached him and said that she had been pressed for money, and that she desired tho loan of JCI2 10s. Plaintiff lent her tho money, and handed in an acknowledgment signed by defendant. Upon tho validity of this document and other papers hinged tho case. Mrs. Bater denied that she had borrowed '.£l2 10s. from plaintiff. She said that she had engaged plaintiff to collect small sums of money for her, and she had signed blank sheets of paper as receipts. On these sheets of paper there was nothing written, and tho papers wero not stamped. Witness admitted having signed tho two papers produced, but'sho said that, when she signed them, thero was no writing on either paper. Mr. Kettle: Is that tho way you givo receipts? Witness: Well, that is what he asked me to do. Mr. IvctUe: Do you say that these documents are false? Witness: Yes, absolutely false. Mr. Kettle: Do you swear that you never borrowed £12 10s. from tho plaintiff? Witness: Notct, sir. I never borrowed a shilling from him. Mr. Kettle: If all this is truo .it is a matter for tho criminal Court. At this stago the plaintiff was recalled. Mr. Kettle: Mrs.' Bater has sworn that, On the numerous occasions on which she got money from you, she signed blank pieces of paper which she trusted you to fill up honestly. Is that true? Witness: Not to my knowledge, ilr. Kettle: Is it true or not? Witness: It is absolutely false. Mr. Kettle: Do you swear that the writing was on these pieces of paper bef i.'O Mrs. Bater signed thoni? Witness: Yes. Mr. Kettle: Now Mrs. Bater has sworn..] 'that she signed blank sheets with no writing on them. Is that true? 'Witness: No, it is not true. Mr. Kettle: Do you still swear that the writing was on the papers before Mrs. Bater signed them? Now, I am giving you a chance. ■ Witness: Well, to tho best of my Knowledge the writing was on the paper. Mr. Kettle: To the best of your knowlodge! Ah, that is another matter. His Worship then took tho papers separately, and examined witness .closely. In several instances the witness said thpt tho writing was on the papers before they were signed—"to the best of his knowledge." Mr. Kettlo: Yes. I don't want to ask you any more questions. Mrs. Bater was then recalled and was cross-examined at length by Mr. Quartley. At this stage the case was adjourned.