A VETERAN FORGER.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3523, 23 October 1882, Page 4

A VETERAN FORGER.

The Dunedin correspondent of the Cromwell Argus gives the following details regarding Corfitz Cronquist, a well-known forger. In 1867 he passed through the Otago goldfields lecturing on Phrenology, and some time ago wae writing ' Prison Portraits ' in Sydney. He was in gaol for forgery or passing a valueless cheque when Mr Vogel started a morning paper in Dunedin called The Sun in opposition to the Daily Times. On coming out, by the influence of the prison chaplain, he was given the position of proof-reader on that paper; for although a Swede by_ birth, ho •was a competent English compositor. But

he couldn't keep away from drawing cheques, and although getting a wage of £5 a "week, once more got into trouble for forging a cheque for the paltry sum of £1. Serving a r sentence for this, lie next made liis appearance in Tuapeka. During his stay there Dr. Goodsir was sentenced to three years for stealing a gold watch. It was found in his pocket when he was drunk, and there ■were some who said Corfitz had put it there to shield suspicion from himself. However, Corfitz soon went back to his old quarters, having passed a valueless cheque in Weatherstones. Released from gaol once more, he made tracks to Fiji, where, after several disreputable episodes,, the authorities having no gaol, declared him a rogue and vagabond in the Fiji Times, whereupon he took sail for Sydney. He was no time there before he "was in Paramatta gaol, this time for something like ten years, for forging. On obtaining his freedom once more he wrote ' Prison Sketches' in the Sydney Bulletin,hut the series was suddenly interrupted by Corfitz forging the name of the Bulletin editor to a cheque and being recommitted to his dungeon cell, where he now pines. Such is part of the history of a confirmed criminal, although a clever, well-educated man.