A PECULIAR FORGERY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1783, 31 January 1918, Page 3

A PECULIAR FORGERY.

A PAY BOOK AND A DESERTER,

A well set-up young man, named Herbert Stanley Aitkenhead, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, yesterday, with forging the name “William Aitken” in a soldier’s pay book between 10th August last and 7th January,

Inspector Marsack said that it was rather a peculiar case of forgery. Accused, who was a military deserter, by some means had become possessed of the pay book while he was looking for employment, and, knowing that he could not get a position without an enrolment card or the like, had inserted the name “William Aitken,” and had assumed that name himself. It, was probable also that accused, knowing that he was “wanted” as a deserter, altered the, signature and number to clear himself should he bo questioned. William Adin, swamp manager for the Eoxton Cordage Company, identified (he nay book by the initials “W.A.” and a mistake which had been made in making up the book originally. Witness had been a member of II Company,,3oth Reinforcements, and was discharged from camp on oth August. He had no idea as to how he came to lose the book.

Sergeant John Hill, ot the Base Records Office, said that the altered regimental number was that of a Lieutenant Richards.

Fred Watson, foreman of the New Zealand and Canard Shipping Company’s works, said that he asked aeensed if he was enrolled when he applied for a job. Aitken, as he called himself, showed witness a pay-hook, which appeared to him to be genuine, and he was given work. Constable Fahey said that he asked defendant for his enrolment card on the morning of 7th January. After a little hesitation, defendant slated he had been discharged from Featherston Camp on 10th August, and showed witness a paybook to substantiate his statement. There were several alterations and erasures, and the hook was so suspicious that accused was arrested and enquiries were made which led to the charge being laid. Accused later admitted making the alterations, and said that he had picked the book up in the street, but would not say where.

Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.