FORGERY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1463, 25 May 1905, Page 2

FORGERY.

I .(Per Press Association.)' I Auckland, last night. I At the Supreme Court Robert Smith, I aged about 2S, pleaded not guilty to forgI ing a cheque for £l2 7s ia tbe name of I Wm. Gribbin, a Waiknto farmer, and passing it off ou Ernest James Ralph Smith in settlement of a bill at tho National Hotel at Cambridge and getting .£5 12s 6d change. Ho was defonded by Mr J. B. Lundon. A.Dunedin youth named Laurie Smith, alias Lyons, who was represented by Mr J. C. MarfciD, pleaded guilty to assisting to pass off tho cheque, and gave KiDg’s evidence. At tbo opening of the case against Robt. Smith, the Crown Prosecutor said accused many yoar3 ago worked in Wellington for the father of the I

younger accused, Laurie Lyons, whom he persuaded at tbe ago of 16 years to loave his parents and travel with him. Thoy Beemed to have led a vagabond life in various rolos throughout tbe colony, and

in time gravitated to the farm of William John Gribbin, between Cambridge) and Hamilton, wbo omployed them, believing them to be brothers. The cheque for £l2 7b produced was never given by him to either of tho men, and his name on it was ! a forgery. After several witnesses hod given evidence, Laurie Smith was examined, and was cross-examined with considerable vigor by Mr J. li. Lundon. His Honor, addusung the jury, said : If you can believo the defence put forward by the prisoner, then God help the ■country.” The jury found the accused guilty. His Honor said without excusing tho younger boy he was convinced that tho | prisoner had a big baud in leading o young rascal astray. He was liable, to imprisonment for life, but of course that long sentence would not be imposed, although the sentence must be sufficient to teach him that this sort of thing would not do. A sentence of three years was passed. In regard to the boy Laurie Smith, His Honor said that he was in a sense a first offender, and he would there- i fore ask the probation officer to report on 1 him next Monday.