The Watty Forgeries.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 115, 10 April 1884, Page 2

The Watty Forgeries.

The Judge's .Sentence.

... When Phillip K. "Watty was brought up for sentence, he said he hud nothing to say why sentence should not be passed upon hini. His Honor, sing the prisoner, said : ydu stand 'convicted upon your own plea of a series of forgeries . which is quite without example, so far as I know, m the experience of the colony. I listened yesterday with attention to the grounds of extenuation which "Were rjelied f upon m your behalf by your counsel ;. ; butV after, giving them the fullest consideration, I feel myself quite ; unable to escape from the painful necessity of passings a heavy sentence upon' you. The evidence before me m the .shape of depositions and the forged documents themselves shows me that you deliberately: and repeatedly attempted to imitate the handwriting of the persons whose names you made use of. You may not be an artful forger, but I must say that it is not for the want of trying. It is evident to me from the appearance of these documents that you attempted — probably, I may say, that you did your best, if such an expression can be used m connection with such a subject— to imitate the handwriting of the. people whose names you forged. Your counsel has suggested that as regards sonic of the prosecutors, — persons who charge 250 per cent, per annum, 'tb.au they can be very easily left to take care of themselves. That is a sentiment m which I must say I am rather disposed to concur; but the requirements of justice are another matter, and, as I have said, there is imposed upon me the painful duty of inflicting a severe sen erice, which is that you be kept m penal servitude, for the term of five years.