STUDENTS' IMPERSONATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2695, 14 February 1924, Page 3

STUDENTS' IMPERSONATION.

CASE STATED FOR APPEAL COURT. SENTENCE DEFERRED. Dunedin, Last Night. In the Supreme Court the cases against Gordon Stuart McLauehlan and Herbert Hall Webb for forgery in connection with examinations were resumed, Mr Gallon, for the defence, submitted that the evidence failed to disclose forgery. It was necessary to establish that the accused bad made a false document, which was not proved. The practice was shown to have frequently occurred in University and scholastic institutions throughout the world, but counsel bad never heard of any attempt being made to institute forgery charges. It was not forgery to write another’s name by arrangement with that person. The Judge ruled provisionally that the documents were false, announcing that he would state a case foi the Appeal Court. He put the following questions for the jury to answer: Was the slip on which McLauehlan wrote Webb’s name and number a false document? Did McLauehlan know when he made it that it was false?' Did he intend it to be acted upon as genuine? Was the examination paper handed in a false document? Did he know it was false and intend it to be acted upon? in respect to Webb, did the accused procure McLauehlan to write the slip and examination papers? Stewart Bell McLennan was next charged with having forged a slip purporting to be signed by McLauehlan in connection with a music examination. The Judge agreed to adjourn this case, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal,

The jury, in the McLauehlan and Webb case, returned, after 50 minutes, with an affirmative answer to all questions. The Judge said sentence would be respited and a case stated for the Appeal Court. Bail was fixed in a nominal sum.