CHARGED WITH FORGERY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2715, 9 March 1916, Page 6

CHARGED WITH FORGERY

EX-TERRITORIAL OFFICER'S LAPSE. By Telegraph—Press Association. . . Auokland, March &, Ail ex-territorial officer's defalcations in connection with the regimental maintenance fund of the 3rd Auckland ltegiment were concerned in a case heard before Mr. Eraser at the Police Court. Cecil Lyttekon Hawkins, who held a captain's commission on the permanent stalf of the Defence, forces, and was at one time adjutant of the 3rd Auckland Infantry ltegiment, was charged with forging the name of J. H. Parslow to a receipt for £2 125., and with presenting it to Alfred Bartlett, officer commanding the 3rd Auckland ltegiment, so as to cause him to act upon it as if it were genuine. He was further charged with misappropriating various sums of money. Cyril George Collins, Government Audit Inspector, stationed at Auckland, stated that the accused in his capacity as adjutant to the 3rd Auckland Regiment, was responsible for the care of the Government maintenance grant. Witness had audited the accounts of the regiment on January 27 of the present year, and he proceeded to give in detail the result of the whole of nis investigations into the operations of ac'cusea in connection with the regimental fund. He stated that in many instances lie could find no receipts for moneys paid, indicating that the moneys had been misappropriated. In an interview witness had had with accused on February 18 last, Hawkins had stated that he was heavily in debt, and he had badly needed the money, but he thought he had "squared" all matters up before he left with the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force. i statement made in writing by the icuused was handed in. In it accused stated that lie had drawn cheques on the regimental fund for the purpose of Dayinjj several tradesmen, but owing to financial difficulties, and to tide over pressure from money-lenders and others, he cashed the cheques and converted the money io his own use. . It was his intention .to make good the- money before the audit, but the war broke out, and he was ordered on service with the Main Body of the Expeditionary, Force. He was inclined to make application to remain in New Zealand, but that / such an application ?rom an officer of the permanent staff would cause public comment, he decided to obey orders. He proceeded to ®£.ypt, hut the knowledge of his defalcations preyed upon his mind, and he broke down in health en route, and was invalided back to New Zealand. It vas his intention to make restitution of all moneys appropriated. Accused formally pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Hamilton Supreme Court for sentence.