NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 226, 11 June 1915, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.

A CHEQUE VANISHED. BELIEVED TO BE SWALLOWED. HAMILTON, This Day. A case disclosing extraordinary circumstances was heard' before Judge Cooper and a ocnimon jury at the Hamilton Supreme Court, in which a mid-dle-aged man, John Johnson, of Rawhia, was charged with forgery and uttering. According to evidence for the prosecution the prisoner, on leaving the em. ploy of Manoahelboy, received a cheque for £5 5/. This, on presentation at the bank, by a person resembling the prisoner, was altered to £ls 5/. During the proceedings in the Lower Court, Justices called the clerk (who was the local constable) into a private room. The accused and another man, who had been taking depositions, were left in the Court along with documents relating to the prosecution. While Mr Barton turned his back to close a door the forged cheque forming the basis of th.o charge, disappeared. It is assumed that it had been swallowed by the prisoner, as no trace was found of it. The jury was dissatisfied and a new trial was ordered. THE NAPIER MURDER CASE. ' PRISONER SENTENCED. NAPIER, June 10. The hearing of the charge against Alice Parkinson or murdering Albert West was concluded at the Supreme Court to-day before the Chief Justice, Sir Robetr Stout, After a ret Lament of over three hours, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of manslaughter, with a stong recommendation to mercy on account of the provocation accused had received. , His Hipnour said he did not think it was a.east)- whore eleaicaay could" be.allowed. If a cold premeditated murder,-., The aecu’scd .WA 8 sentenced to imprisonment for the ienn of her natural life, ’