CHARGES AGAINST BANK CLERK.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18074, 16 May 1924, Page 6

CHARGES AGAINST BANK CLERK.

JURY DISAGREES. '' tawessi issocjiii.OH TMißoaiJi.).j.. ; \ ; ' ;' WELLINGTON. May 15. | 'The trial"of Ileginald Hoggard, a; : clerk formerly employed in the; Te Aro branch of the National Bank, on/ changes ', of forging a che<roe fpr £ll ' ■ 17s and uttering the same; and, alternately, with the theft of that sum, concluded last evening. The. jury, alter deliberating for lour hours, returned at i). 30 o'clock, stating 'there' was no ■hope, of agreement. Evidence was given concerning two cheques alleged to. have been forged by accused. An accountant at'the banK described certain entries in the bank books'Uuide' by accused as fictitious.' ' '■ Detective /Nuttall related what took place when he visited the bank- in response to a telephone call on-March 27th. He examined a brown paper par-j cel| /the property of the accused, which was found in the basement of the bank.where, accused had- placed it. Among other things which the parcel contained was betting material such as day cards,' double cards, a betting ledger, also two credit slips, a cheque torn in four pieces and a specimen signature book. His Honour stated that the ease was not a simple one, although it should have 'been.""" Could it"'be said that"Hoggard was'in the box as the victim of a blunder or mistake? He had made no explanation, though given every opportunity by the bank-to do so. What the jury had to decide was whether this was a fraudulent transaction. W r hen the jury announced its disagreement, a new trial was ordered for Monday.