ALLEGED FORGERY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1921, Page 3

ALLEGED FORGERY

TOT ALLS A TOR TICKETS ALTERED

WELLINGTON, May 10

Some unusual circumstances were related at the Supreme Court to-day in connexion with a case in which Robert Fox was charged with forging totnlisator tickets and uttering the same at Trentham.

A pay-out clerk* at the machine said three tickets were presented which were not in order. They had the numbers obliterated and fresh numbers inserted. The dividend totalled £BO. The alteration or forgery would appear to have been made with type. He asked the man to wait and closed the window. When be went back to the window the man bad disappeared. He could not describe him.

Another totalisator employee said that when the tickets were held up be sent for a detective, who (vent to the window to identify the men who were there. He did not see the accused. Three days after the meeting five and a half tickets were still unpaid. He saw a man named O’Brien at the window, O’Brien, a builder and contractor, said the accused was in front of him at the machine. While the pay clerk was scrutinising the ticket the man was very nervous. “As soon as the clerk said “Wait a minute,” the man turned towards witness and then bolted towards the station. Witness watched him out of sight. Witness collected his dividend. At the station he again saw the accused and pointed him out to his wife. Later he saw him in a railway carriage, and saw him again at the Christchurch Easter Meeting, and pointed him out to the racecourse detective. He knew it was solely on his evidence that the charge was brought against accused. Counsel: Hid a policeman put it to you that you were the man?— Yes. Were you in possession of those tickets ?—No.

You knew the police were searching for a man? —Yes.

You knew there were police at the station at Trentham, at Petone, and at Wellington, and yet you say the accused was in he carriage with you all the time?—Yes.

Witness said he was peifectly candid with the police. He gave his name and address tfnd all particulars about himself.

Witness’s wife said she identified the accused as the man in the carriage coming from Trentham and at Riccarton at Easter. She had no rubber stamps in her bag at Trentham. Has you house been searched ?—No.

Chief-Detective Mdlveney gave evidence as to having had a conversation with the accused, who made a statement. Accused said he had hacked the winner of the race in question. He went to the machine and was paid his dividend, after which he proceeded to the train. He saw O’Brien at the timber yard where he (accused) was employed. He said that at Christchurch a detective suggested he should tell the Justices that someone gaye him the

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