The Ballarat forgery Sensation

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 39, 14 August 1895, Page 3

The Ballarat forgery Sensation

(Our Own Correspondent. ) [PER B.S. WAIHORA AT THE BLUFF. | lUllarat, Ctli Angnst. A remarkable case of alleged forgery and uttering haß come to light, resulting in the arrest of a young man named William Robertson Warner, and of Miss Amy Mary Bones, daughter of William Bones, a wellknown house and estate agent and large property owner in B»llarat. The affair is the outcome of a olandeßtine attachment between the young couple. Warner, who is 24 years of age, giveß his occupation as a. cleric, and states that he comes from Oeelpng, where his brothers are in business as tailors and outfitters. He has been in Ballarat for abont six months for, according to his story, the benefit of his health. He has never appeared to be short of means, although he followed no occupation, and his expenses have always been paid by cheques drawn on his brothers' accounts. How he first met Miss Bones, who is only 18 years old, is not clear, but his advances were bo distasteful to the girl's father that he forbade his daughter to have anything to do with him. The pair, however, contrived to keep up their intimacy, which led to-day to a cheque for J2374 being drawn on Mr. Bones' account at the TJnion Bank. The body of the cheque was in Warner's handwriting, and the signature is admittedly forged by the girl, who presented it, receiving large notes in payment. The suspicions of the Bank authorities were arcumed some time afterwards, and an interview between Mr. Corbett, the manager, and Mr. Bones brought abont the denouement. The girl was immediately confronted, and although she tried to shield her lover, with whom she had been seen about the ciiy during the afternoon, it was ascertained that she had an appointment with him this evening. When both were arrested, Warner, as well as the girl, affeoted at first to treat the matter lightly, and impudently declined a compromise when given an opportunity to refund the money so as not to blast the girl's reputation. Warner told Mr. Bones that he would marry the girl if her father would support them ; and also stated that he would hand over .£2OO if allowed to retain the balance. Mr. Bones declined theso proposals, and aworo an information against (ho pair. His daughter was thereupon looked up, and bo was hor alleged accomplice. The police have not succeeded in discovering any trace of the money.