FORGERY OF A CERTIFICATE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 323, 14 January 1909, Page 4

FORGERY OF A CERTIFICATE

THOUGHT THERE WAS XO IJAHM IX IT.

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, S.M„ a lad warned John William darner was charged that on December 21, at AYestown, lie- did forge a fifth standard education certificate and did use it as if it were genuine, Sergeant Haddrell •prosecuted. Mrs. O. E. Wilson, mistress of the Ratapiko School, deposed that .she knew accused, who had been a pupil at the Ratapiko School. He left on 'April 30, •1900. The signature, purporting to be •hers, on the X T ew Zealand Education Department standard certificate, statin-: that accused had passed the fifth standard had not been signed by witness. Other signatures on the certificate, certifying that accused had passed the second, third, and fourth standard*, •were genuine and signed by her. They had been filled in each year after accused passed the standards. The signature to the fifth standard entry was a good imitation of the other signatures. Sue had not told accused that he had passed the fifth standard.

! Detective Boddam stated that on 'December 12, 11)08, he interviewed tl' l ' accused regarding the present charge. 'Witness showed him the form of application for employment in the New Zealand railways, now produced, signed •"John William fiarner." and dated 'March 11, 1!W)7. Accused said it was his signature. He also "said that about December 21 last lie forwarded to the General Manager of Railways particulars of his age and the certificate produced. Tlu» signature of Mrs. Wilson to the fifth standard entry therein had ibeen forged by him. Accused added •that about two years ago lie passed the fourth standard and studied for the fifth standard. Wilson had told him he had the fifth standard at th»» examination for which he had been present. When he found that he had to 'send in a fifth standard certificate to the Railway Department he filled in the entry for that standard and -signed Mr*. Williams' name to it, thinking that there was no harm in doing so. and that he. was not doing wrong. Accused *ianed a written statement to this effect. • Asked if lie had anything to say, after being cautioned, accused said that he understood that when Mrs. Wilson held examinations before, the inspector's examination was held, if the pupils were lit to pass she told them so. She had told witness, at least he understood so, that he had passed, lie therefore did not think there, was any harm in his filling in the certificate, lie pleaded not guii-ty, adding "I suppo.se that is the best." and was committed to the "Supreme Court at Xew Plymouth for tral. Rail was allowed, accused 111 his own •surety of £25 and two sureties in £25 •each or one in £SO.