ADLEGED FORGERY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2247, 29 August 1891, Page 2

ADLEGED FORGERY.

At the R.M. Court, Timaru, yesterday, before C. A. Wray Esq., R.M., William Binley was charged with having uttered three promissory notes : one on December 20,1891, for £35 ; another on March 30, 1891, for £35; and the other the 18th instant for £25.

The prosecution was conducted by Sergt.-Major Mason, and Mr Raymond appeared for the defence. W. S. Maslin gave evidence to the effect that accused came to him with a promissary note for £35 last December, and asked witness to cash it. Witness declined without having it endorsed, and accused brought it back endorsed by John Grant, and said it was the endorsment of John Grant the dealer of Temuka. The bill was dishonored, but met after a few days. In March last accused brought witness another promissary note of £35 endorsed by John Grant, and this was again dishonored. The accused came to witness when it was dishonored, and ; asked witness not to let the bank send a ; notice to Mr Grant. Witness replied that he must have the money and accused went away to get the money, whereupon he telegraphed to the Bank not to notify Mr Grant that the Bill had been dishonored. About the 17th inst. witness got another promissary note already endorsed, and accompanied by the following letter—- “ Geraldine, August 17th, Dear Sir.— Please find enloosed p. n. for £25. Please send me a cheque for the money, deducting your commision out of it. There is a few shillings due to me from the last one, so you can make it right out of this one. If you can possibly manage it let me have it by to-morrow, the 18th, and I shall be much obliged. If not please send me the p.n. back through the post. Yours truly, Wm. Binley.”) Did not reply to the letter, and retained the note with the object of enquiring whether the endorsement was correct. Accused came to see him in Timaru last Saturday morning. Accused asked how it was witness “ had not done that.” Told him the signature (meaning the endorsement) was not right. Accused said it was all right, but if witness did not like it, he could get any farmer witness liked to name. Was busy selling at the time, and told accused he would hear about the

thing shortly. Had not seen him since till to-day. To Mr Raymond: During the time he had known accused never knew anything at all against him. Placed the bills in the Colonial Bank at Timaru. He had not lost a penny by the accused.

John Grant, Temuka, knew nothing of the promissory notes produced, and they were not endorsed by him. Some time last summer witness received a notice that a promissary note bearing his endorsement had been dishonored. Went to see accused who told him the person meant was J. Grant, blacksmith, Temuka, Detective Livingstone gave evidence to the effect that when he arrested accused he said he knew nothing of the bills, and afterward said he never obtained any money for the note of August 18. He also said he could prove he never signed the name of John Grant to the notes. This completed the evidence, and accused having reserved his defence was committed for trial, bail being allowed, himself in £2OO, and two surieties of £IOO each.