JOHNSON CASE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 246, 8 June 1932, Page 5

JOHNSON CASE

(Press. Assn.-

STILL PROCEEDING WRONG SIGNATURE ON THE INSURANCE RECEIPTS BANK OFFICIAL'S OPINION

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Further dvidence was. heard for plaintiff in the Supreme Court in the case in which Mrs Elizabeth Ivy Johnson claimed £500 from the Australian Temperanee and General Mu4 tuai Life Insurance Society and £260 from the Commercial Union Insurance Company. Plaintiff alleged that her husband, after having deliberately caused her leg to be crushed by the train at the Ohau Railway crossing, ohtai'ned by means of forgery, sums of money- under two accident insurance policies held hy her. ' . ; Walter Schierning, Railway District traffic manager, produced reports from the engine driver, James T. A; Jamieson, now deceased, describing how the train struck Johnson's car at the crossing, stating that the car appeared undamaged, hut the lady passenger "trying to climh out of the car" had ber.left leg badly crushed. Guard's Statement John Doig, a guard on the train, stated that after the accident he heard Mrs Johnson ask her husband why he did not let her out. Witness was unable to say whether Johnson made a reply. Evidence was also given hy Detective T, H, Ilall, who made inquiries into the alleged forgery aspect of the case. Francis Gordon Fendall, officer for the Te Aro branch of the Bank of New Zealand, gave evidence as to Mrs Johnson's signature held hy the bank. He said he had been shown certain insurance doeuments, receipts and cheques, and he was of the opinion that the signature- on them was not that of Mrs Johnson. At the conclnsion of plaintiff 's case, the- respective counsel for the Insurance Companies asked for nonsuits on the grounds, inter alia, that there was on liability, as the occurrence was not an accident provided for in the cover, that it would be unsafe to accept plaintiff's evidence, and that her husband was authorised to receive the moneys paid. The hearing was adjourned until to-morrow.