For Trial On Forgery Charge

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30390, 14 March 1964, Page 14

For Trial On Forgery Charge

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 13. Trial by jury was elected by David Ostler, aged 29, steward, in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, on a charge of theft of a Navy identification card and another of forging the card. He pleaded not guilty after the hearing of depositions by Justices.

The second charge was that he made additions to a Navy identification card, by adding the words, “Watson, William Bernard, leading signalman, Philomel, Wellington,” with

a description and a photograph, with intent that the document be acted upon as genuine. Sergeant W. H. Jenner appeared for the police, and Mr J. J. Shaw for the accused. Witnesses described finding a wallet containing a naval identification card in a taxi and handing the property to the police . Commander Maurice Ashdown, a director of Naval Intelligence, said there was no name William Bernard Watson in Navy records, and no serving officer or rating in the Navy of that name. He identified a personal file of a former rating, David Ostler, as a Navy record. When an officer or rating left the Navy his Navy identification card was surrendered and destroyed, he said.

Lieutenant Commander

James Lennox King said on January 23, 1963, when he was commanding officer of the Endeavour berthed at Wellington, he was approached by Ostler who obtained permission for a tape interview for radio purposes. Ostler said bis wife was conducting a programme in Samoa and would appreciate a review of the Endeavour's recent Antarctic operations. The next day Ostler and a woman called Mrs Ostler boarded the ship With tape equipment stamped “N.Z.8.C.” and conducted an interview. He said Navy Identification Card No. 2546 was a genuine card. It was not shown in Navy records as having been issued and destroyed. It was possible that on card No. 2546 a person would be able to gain entrance to Navy shore establishments

and other restricted areas. Senior Sergeant Edward William Russell said that on February 17 he handed Ostler his wallet and contents. Ostler admitted that the Navy identification card was his, He told Ostler it was a genuine card but that he had reason to believe the particulars entered were false, with the exception of the photograph. He also told him police inquiries had revealed the card was not officially issued by the Navy. The accused Ostler had then been charged.

Motor-Cyclist Injured.—A motor-cyclist suffered arm and leg injuries when he was involved in a collision with a car in Manchester street about 5.30 p.m. yesterday. He is Grant Rawlence, of 32 Perry street. He was treated at Christchurch Hospital.