Evidence Of Disguised Handwriting Given

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31923, 26 February 1969, Page 30

Evidence Of Disguised Handwriting Given

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 25. Evidence of disguised handwriting and an altered name on a cheque butt was given in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court today when depositions continued in a $2028 bribery case.

Harold John Head, a former Wellington Customs officer, is facing four charges of corruptly accepting a bribe in the course of his official capacity.

He is charged with receiving a total payment of $2028 for the acts. Mr W. R. Birks is prosecuting; Head is represented by Messrs A. B. and N. B. Sievwright before Mr W. McAlevey, S.M.

Ivor Edward Dominic McGowan, a police sergeant, now stationed at Palmerston North, but formerly with the Wellington wharf police, gave details of searches which had been carried out in a business house and at the home of the accused. Second Visit He told the Court that on his first visit to the business house he had discovered a cheque butt made out to “Reid and Co.” On a second visit four days later he found the spelling had been altered to “Read,” and the dot of the letter “i” was still visible.

Sergeant McGowan said he had checked records back to 1888 in an effort to find persons with names mentioned in certain of the company’s records, but had not succeeded. Other Transactions While the company had invoices for other transactions there were none for those involving Read and Company, W. A. Finlay or A. W. Finlay, yet cheques had been issued and cashed, the sergeant said.

Most of the witnesses called today were tally or entry clerks employed by Receiving and Delivery Services, Ltd. who gave details of goods which had passed through wharf sheds. When the court adjourned, 18 witnesses had been called and 51 exhibits presented. Another 17 witnesses will be called during the hearing.

Baby Bette r.—Alice Goomes, a baby flown from the Chatham Islands in an incubator last Thursday after her birth five weeks earlier than expected, is progressing satisfactorily under specialist care in Wellington Hospital. —(P.A.)