DALMATIANS CHARGED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 499, 31 October 1928, Page 15

DALMATIANS CHARGED

ALLEGED FORGERY EVIDENCE BY INTERPRETER Two Dalmatian brothers. Ivan Yovich and Mick Millan Yovich, bush contractors, of Ruakaka, near Wha- ; ngarei, stood their trial at the Supremo Court this morning, before Mr. Justice Blair and a jury, charged conjointly with forgery, Mick Yovich was also charged with uttering. Sir. Stedman, of Whangarei. defended the prisoners. Outlining the case for the Crown, Mr. V. N. Hubble said the forgery was alleged to have been effected on February 12, 1926. Another Dalmatian, who had met with an accident, lodged a claim with the National Insurance Company which forwarded a sum of £24 and a receipt form to be signed by the insured. It was alleged that Ivan Yovich got hold of the money and receipt and signed it at the instigation of his brother Mick. Ivan paid £l6 to the complainant. It was not untl two years had elapsed that complainant learned from the insurance company that the receipt had been forged and that he had lost £ S thereby. Questioned by a detective, Ivan first admitted signing the document. He said his brother made him do it. Later he denied the act, saying he did not understand things very well. Mr. Hubble told th*» jury that there had been a long series of financial dealings between the two accused and complainant, and the defence would probably say compjAinan.t owed the brothers money. That was not relevant, however. The point was. did Ivan sign complainant’s name without his authority? Evidence by complainant was an involved business, being heard with the aid of an interpreter. (Proceeding >