FORGERY ADMITTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 11

FORGERY ADMITTED

MAN COMMITTED TO SUPREME COURT CASE IN TAIHAPE (Own Correspondent) TAIHAPE, Feb. 3. ! Pleading guilty to charges of forgery and uttering, Richard Alexander Henry Malam, of Raetihi. was committed to the Wanganui Supreme Court for sentence, by Messrs. E. Loader and L. B. H. de Lautour, J.P.’s, in the Taihape Magistrate's Court this morning. Sergeant J. M. Mcßae conducted the prosecution. Accused was not represented by counsel. The offences were alleged to have been committed on or about October 19, 1938, at Hikitahi, and on or about October 24, at Taihape, two cheques to the sum of £5 10s each being involved, the second of the cheques onlybeing cashed. The evidence showed that Malam had cashed the cheque at Wong Jang’s shop, buying 3s worth of fruit and receiving £5 7s in change. The cheque was signed "R. Collier” and endorsed “J. Smith,” and accused had stated that he had received it in payment of wages, and a ring could be put through to Mr. Collier if necessary. This was not done, and it was only when Wang Jang paid the cheque into his account that it was found not genuine. Wong Jang stated that he knew Mr. Collier, who was a customer.

Mrs. L. Neilsen, proprietress of a fish shop in Taihape, said that she knew the accused, who had stayed at her place during the week-end and was a frequent visitor to the shop. He was employed by Mr. Peters, of Waioru. Accused purchased a cheque book at the Bank of Australasia for witness and she had placed it in a position where accused had had acces to it. At the time she did not examine the book. The cheque produced was one missing from it. Accused had no authority to take any cheques and when witness questioned him about those missing he stated that he knew nothing about the matter. Accused had never approached her with the view of obtaining a cheque. Arthur Reginald Collier, farmer, •near Mataroa, stated that the cheque and signature were not his and he had not given any authority for anyone to sign the cheque. There was nobody by the name of J. Smith in his employ. Police Evidence. Constable J. H. Beaton, of Raetihi, said that on January 30, in company with Detective J. Murray, of Wanganui, he interviewed accused relative to forging and uttering of a cheque. Accused said that he was in the habit of frequenting Neilsen’s premises in Taihape and admitted that he stole a cheque form from Mrs. Neilsen's cheque book, and on or about October 19, 1938,, while at Peters’ farm, he filled in a cheque dated October 15 and made it payable to-“J. Smith,” and signed the signature “R. Collier.’ He said that he purchased 3s worth of fruit from Wong Jang and tendered the cheque in payment and received £5 7s in change. “Accused was quite frank and gave every assistance to clear the matter up,” said Constable Beaton. His application for suppression of name was not granted.

WAVERLEY PERSONALS

(Own Correspondent) WAVERLEY, Feb. 3. Miss A. Graham is the guest of Mrs. Griffiths, New Plymouth, for the tennis tournament. Mrs. Grant, of Wellington, Is the guest of Mrs. Hunter Strachan. Mrs. G. H. Alexander is spending a few days in Auckland with her sister, Miss Laird, who leaves for Scotland on the 7th. Mrs. W. Southcombe, Morrinsville, is staying with her mother, Mrs. H. L. Thomas. PANTRY GIFT EVENING Mrs. S. Brewer’s home, “Waihou,” was the scene of a very happy gathering when she entertained at a pantry tea in honour of Miss Jean Parsons, on Thursday afternoon. A japonica pink floral bordered frock was worn by the hostess, while Miss Parsons was becomingly attired in one of black and green floral with black accessories. The guests arrived, each representing a song, for which a competition was held to guess their titles. Miss P. Simmons was the winner and Mrs. Mathews and the guest of honour gaining special prizes. Mrs. Graves sang a delightful bracket of songs, after which everyone joined in a community sing. After a dainty afternoon tea had been served, Mrs. Brewer asked Miss Parsons to accept the many interesting parcels arrayed on the dining room table which, when opened, proved to be supplies for the pantry.

Miss Parsons thanked Mrs. Brewer and all present for the useful gifts. Among those present were: Mesdames E. Parsons, Graves, Watkins, J. Gray, Valantyne, D. G. Thomson, K. Gibbons, S. F. Besley, K. Pederson, A. Handley (Kai Iwi), J. J. Johnston, A. E. Symes, B. Horner, F. Handley (Maxwell), N. Hair (Maxwell), A. J. Alexander, Grant (Wellington), J. G. Alexander, H. Strachan, E. Brewer, W. F. Alexander, D. Lupton, I. Billinghurst, G. H. Alexander, W. Matthews, H. Birch, and K. Handley; Misses J. Lupton, P. Simmons, A. Broderick (Maxwell), M. Tibbs (Auckland), O Matthews, M. Dickie, N. and G. Mathieson, and P. Gr. y.