CHARGE OF FORGERY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19475, 9 May 1925, Page 10

CHARGE OF FORGERY.

EX-POSTAL OFFICIAL IN TROUBLE. JURY FAIL TO AGREE. IPbr United Press Association.) TIMARU, May 8. , James Murray, an ex-postal official, was charged at the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Adams with having forged the signature of J. R. Macdonald, farm labourer, Albnry, to the Post Office Savings Bank withdrawal form, by which accused withdrew £2OO from Macdonald’s account and converted it to his own use The accused put forward an elaborate defence. He said that Maodonald had nanself signed the withdrawl form and had lent him the £2OO. Havin'' failed to get the money repaid by accused, he was now charging him with having forged his signature, so that he could recover it from the Postal Department. There was no entry in Macdonald’s pass book showing the withdrawal of the money, and accused accounted for this by saying that Macdonald had not his pass book with him when he signed the withdrawal form. Macdonald empliatically denied accused’s statement, and said he had never given authority to anyone to withdraw his money. Considerable evidence was heard, the case lasting two full days. The jury, after four hours’ retirement, disagreed, and a new trial was ordered for the August session. The court rose at 2 a.m.