CHARGE OF FORGERY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9063, 11 April 1908, Page 6

CHARGE OF FORGERY.

ACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY. ! COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. A young man, named George Groovep, was brought up at Master- ; ton Police Court, yesterday, on remand from Carterton, charged with forging the name W. Morrison to a cheque for £6 3s, and with uttering the same to Clara Jackson, wife of Henry Jackson, storekeeper, of Lansdowne, the offence being committed nn the 7th inst. Accused was not represented by counsel. ' l A. C. Troy, livery-stable keeper, 1 stated in evidence that a man—he could not say it was accused—had been given a blank cheque by witness, who was informed that it was for Mr Hugh Morrison. A shilling was tendered for the cheque, but witness refusad it, saying he would not charge Mr Morrison. , Eveline Barclay, wife of the licensee of the Prince of Wales Hotel, 1 Masterton, deposed that accused had j presented the cheque to her, but she had refused it, knowing Mr-Morri-son's signature. Accused said he had been working for Mr Morrison. Clara Jackson deposed that accused came into the shop on the morning of the 10th inst. He purchased 5s worth of tobacco, and presented the cheque produced for £6 3s, witness giving accused the necessary change. Witness had seen Mr Morrison's cheques before, and thought the one produced was genuine. The cheque was returned to witness by the bank, marked no account. A. C. Paul, teller at the Bank of Australasia, deposed to the cheque being passed into the Bank by Mrs Jackson. Witness endorsed it "no account." Hugh Morrison, sheep-farmer, stated that he had an account at the Bank of Australasia. Several men called at witness's station for work on Friday last, some being taken on and others refused. Could not say whether the accused was one of the men or not. The cheque produced was not signed by witness. Constable Ingram, of Carterton, deposed to arresting accused, who, on being charged with the forgery, replied, "Yes, that's so. I don't care if I get ten years. I'll plead guilty." Accused had £3 7s in his possession. This was all the evidence. Accused, who pleaded guilty, was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.