ORDERS FORGED

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1931, Page 8

ORDERS FORGED

BEDS AND MEALS. BOAR D IMPOSED ETON. WELLINGTON, April 15. An instance of how a hospital board is imposed upon and defrauded by unscrupulous persons was brought to light during the hearing of a charge of being idle and disorderly against James Ward, aged thirty-one years, a labourer. The police stated that the hoard issued orders for beds and meals to i cede persons, but of late had been experiencing considerable trouble by ! aving the.s e orders forged. Alter the orders bad been issued the number of beds and meals would be increased. Yesterday Ward went into a cafe and, after having a meal, presented the pioprietor with an order on the hoard. Originally it was for one bed and one meal, but it- had been altered to seven beds and twelve meals: and Ward widr'd to turn into e-'sli the aineons Lined portion of the or cr. Knowing these orders were being forged, the proprietor handed Ward over to the police. When a r re‘ted, Ward said ho bad been given the order, as it was, bv another man. When this other man had been questioned he said he had been drunk with 'Ward and did not know lmw Ward got the order. Ward had admitted he had wanted to cash tin* order so as to lie able to get drink. Ward had earned only £1 7s in the past "seven months and had been before the court tor theft and vagrancy. Mr Page, S.AI.. imposed a term of tnreo months’ imprisonment.