PRISONER STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1932, Page 6

PRISONER STORY

. FORGERY OF BANK NOTES. '/ UNUSUAL TURN IN CASE. AUCKLAND, August 10,. Evidence in a/ Supreme Court case tc»k‘ j ari unusual Wnr/ddring l The crossexamination of a witness to-day. . ; Phillip Solomons,-, aged forty-five, !a printer, was charged with aiding and counselling two men, Afbrton and’ „Gdusmett, to commit the Crime of false pretences, by cashing fhiueless cheques. Morton and Gbusmett, Tv ho are now in prison for other' offences/ were ‘called' as Crown witnesses'; •" Morten, in evidence yesterday, made reference to-a man named Parker. He •said'he and Gousmeft went to Parker ' to'i bo'rro'w' a "sack. Be refused to say >’why’they'w&nted tfie sack,'but said that a portion of the money/lie received'by cashing one cheque ' was' given to ’Parker.' Gousmett, in evidence to-day i wa* asked why lie went to Parser’s placin' He' replied: “You thouM ‘a«k ; , / Schlnf t /iiions.” - ; Oounsel for the defence : I want you to "tell' us. •. v /)..? •/'ly;/, • ■■'//•"■ /fy Witness,: Do I hav:. to answer? .'s His Honor: Yes, yoii must/". Witness: It .was. just to see if something that was being • made, .wa? . flnished. ■ v His Honor : / What was' it ? ‘Witness’: Banknotes. His Honoy: ' The banknotes .were be- ' ing ’ niade .by whom ? Witness- Hy barker and Solomons.’ The .Judge asked if witness was' referring to the t.ime when a lot of. counterfeit notes ' / werv, circulated in Auckland. ■//: ./.

■'The witness replied that he was- referring to. new- 1 notes-. '? ' ‘ , v - ’ . 'After some further questioning' ,th.e foreman" of. 4 the jury, aSked if the evidence of Parker be taken-.' '•* Th Crown Solicitor: I don’t know ..Parker 'at all. . He' 'has not been examified for the purposes' of • the police, case •in'this matter! Mayb? the police wofi d 'Yeeatid him as a'/hostile: w-ithess.. -•, • ' L The , Judge- Tep,lied to ' the foreman.: “I don’t' know I whether he ’« available dr 'fidt. , 'lt ii impossible foe me to* Say. 'HpWfever.f' to/ be" ■ and Vb{T hiv© to; deijide /the*' case or on- /‘the

evidence given. > ' Counsel for 'Solomons submitted th-t outside • Morton. 1 ''and ' Go'usrriett' there was no evidence Against the accused. Both witnesses- were admitted criminals, and were accomplices, not only •in t/hiL'Wtdn otlidF■ casks.