FALSE NOTES CASE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1930, Page 5

FALSE NOTES CASE

WATERLOO'S DEFENCE. [United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Received this day at 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 10. Far from negligence, every step in tliis ease was marked by vigilance, foresight and prudence said Mr Norman Birkett opening Waterloo's defence.

He contended that when Marang first entered Waterloo's office, nobody could have conceived him as the tool of a swindler, or the principal of a gang, beta its© he bore an introduction horn Dutch note printers whom Waterlow knew. Moreover he produced a diplomatic passport and other proofs of good faith from the Portuguese Minister at Hague.

Who could have supposed that the Minister was in league with a gigantic fraud dealing wholesale with forged documents. There was nothing suspicious in Marang’s statement that the matter was confidential, as Sir William knew Angola’s finance were unsatisfactory. Waterloo's Lisbon agents warning was only tantamount to doubting whether Waterlow would be paid for printing. Waterlow submitted all the documents to solicitor and notaries, who declared them satisfactory, while in answer to a confidential letter to the Bunk of Portugal regarding the authorisation of the printing was received through tb,e Hague Minister and also appeared to be satisfactory. Sir William as an additional safeguard, wrote to the Governor of the bank, acknowledging the receipt of the authorisation. The Governor denied receiving the letter but that action alone acquitted Waterlow of negligence. - The case was adjourned.