RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2564, 5 October 1893, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Geraldine—Tuesday, Octobers. Before C. A. Wray, Esq., R.M., and H. W. Moore and W. M. Moore, Esqs., J.P.s.] ALLEGED FORGERY. Thomas Park was charged with, on September 29th last, forging the name o£ Thomas Groundwater to a certain cheque and uttering same to one John Michael Keane, Thomas Groundwater, farmer, Woodbury road, deposed : Had known accused about 15 or 16 years. Only gave him one cheque during that time, and that was ten or twelve years ago. Witness’s usual signature was “ Thos. Groundwater,” and the handwriting on cheque marked Ain court was not his. Accused was working for witness, and on Sept. 19th last he left and never told anyone he was going. Accused never claimed any wages since then, and witness did not owe him any. If anything accused was in witness’s debt. Accused had finished his contract, when he left, but witness was arranging to give him more work. Knew of no other person named Thomas Groundwater in the district. William Palmer, farmer: Knew the prisoner. Saw him on Sept. 19th. He , asked witness if he could oblige Mr Groundwater with a blank cheque, and witness gave him one that had been torn out of his book some time previously. The cheque produced marked A corresponded with the number on the butt in witness’ book. Knew of only one Thomas Groundwater in the district. John Michael Keane, licensee of the Commercial Hotel, Geraldine, deposed : Prisoner on Sept. 19th last came to his house and presented the cheque marked A in court, and witness cashed it for him iu two single notes, a sovereign, and twelve shillings. Asked accused if the cheque was Groundwater’s, with whom he had been working, and accused said “ Yes. The cheque is all right. lam very likely going back to work for Groundwater to-morrow.” To accused ; Accused stayed in witness’s place for some days, and did not go till he was cleared out. Accused did not spend most of his money in witness’s house. A. E. Hawkins, manager Bank of New South Wales, weraldino, deposed: The cheque marked A was the one presented at his bank and dishonored, there being no account. Knew the signature of' Thomas Groundwater. r J he signature on cheque marked A he believed was not Groundwater’s, although something like it. Knew of no other Thomas Groundwater iu the district. Constable Thomas Bourke deposed that on (September 29th last he arrested accused at Temuka, and charged him with forging the name of Thomas Groundwater to a cheque for £4, and uttering the same. Accused admitted having dona so, and said he was working for Mr. Groundwater for about three months cutting and grubbing gorse, and that he believed he was iu debt after paying for his food at the end of his contract. Ho went and got the blank cheque from a near neighbor, filled it in for £4, signed Mr Groumiwater’s name to it, and cashed it with Mr Keane at Geraldine, and drank the money in Keane’s house. He also said that every three or four months he got a craving for drink, and it was that induced him to commit the present offence.

Accused reserved his defence, and was committed for trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Tirnaru iu January next. No bail was asked for. The Court then rose.