"STUPID ACT."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 204, 29 August 1929, Page 7

"STUPID ACT."

MAN AND £300 "DOUBLE" '■ ' - ■ * ... FORGED LETTER TO "BOOKIE" HORSES BOTH WON, BUT — PROSECUTION THE SEQUEL. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. Two days before the Auckland Easter races two men residing at Tokorima, some miles from Taumarunui, named Walter Leslie Cusack and Clifford Ernest Corin, posted 30/ to an Auckland bookmaker to place on the "double" of Clockwork, in the Brighton Hurdles and Bright Glow in the Easter Handicap. They registered the letter, but, as the mails did not leave for two days, they became anxious lest the money should not-reach its destination in time. The men therefore drew up another letter, which they gave to a service car driver to post in Auckland. Corin signed it, "Postmaster, Tokorima." This letter informed the bookmaker that a registered letter for him from Cusack and Corin lay at Tokorima Post Office awaiting dispatch. The "double" won, and Cusack and Corin stood to win £300. The bookmaker, however, did not pay up, and the forged document was handed to the police. Corin, when approached by the police, made a frank admission that he had written and signed the letter. Cusack pleaded not guilty and he now awaits trial.

At the Supreme Court to-day Corin,' having pleaded guilty to drawing up a false document, came up for sentence. ■ Mr. J. J. Bell, for accused, said that although he had pleaded guilty to a charge*of forgery, his offence was by no means of the gravity such cases usually assumed. Corin had been perfectly frank/ and ■ there was no question of fraud, either on the Post Office or the bookmaker. His act was very stupid, and was merely prompted by anxiety to get money "on" before the race was run. His Honor said lie was fully conversant with the facts, and he -would take into consideration" that prisoner had no intention to defraud. In view "of his good character and a satisfactory police report, he would fine him £10. He refused* an application for the suppression of prisoner's name.