FORGERY OF A CHEQUE

Evening Star, Issue 15477, 27 April 1914, Page 8

FORGERY OF A CHEQUE

A MAN COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. John Cecile Mercer alias John Cecil Cusack, a stranger to Dunedin, appeared before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., at the Police Court this morning, and was charged with forging on April 18 a cheque for £39 8s lid, and also with stealing at Patearoa on April 11 and April 14 the same cheque and another cheque for £1 ss, a pocket book, 60 penny stamps, and 30 halfpenny stamps, the property of Christopher Dodd Dagg, hotelkeeper, Patearoa. The cheque for £39 8s lid was drawn up by Frank Tucker in favor of C. D. Dagg, and was endorsed by the accused in the name of C. D. Dagg, and given to Alexander Garden, mercer, as genuine payment for certain goods. Sub-inspector Fouhy said there seemed to be no question that accused stole the cheques from Mr Dagg's hotel at Pateaoa, and brought them to Dunedin. The cheque for the larger amount he took to Alexander Garden, and in Mr Garden's presence endorsed it in Mr Dagg's name. Christopher Dodd Dagg, hotelkeeper and storekeeper, of Patearoa, said he knew the accused, who had been employed for a fortnight at Patearoa carting rabbits for George Howell. On the 11th inst. witness left Ids pocket book in the inside pocket of his coat, which he hung up in his bedroom in the hotel. The pocket book contained the cheques and stamps mentioned in the information. Accused left Patearoa on the 18th inst. There was no endorsement on the cheque for £39 8s lid when witness put it into the pocket book. Accused went by the name of Cusack while at Patearoa.

Alexander Garden, hatter and mercer, of Druedin, on id the accused came into his shop about 10 p.m. on the 18th inst., and expressed a wish to set some goods for rabbiters, and asked if he (witness) could a r-nooue fo" £39 8s lid, payable to C. D. Dagg. Witness asked accused if hi was C. i). Dagg, and accused replied •'Yes," and said that his father was the Dagg of Dagg's stables at Queersstown. but now had <> hotel at Pateavoa. Witness got him to endorse, the cheque, and sr(.plied him with goods to the value of ' ' ■ "•' and £;nvp him in change £1 7» 2d and a post dated, cheque for £26. ■,.. ;ie*-i mid be 2ii rather suspicious all the, time, and asked him where ho intended to board. Accused said he was putting up at the European Hotel. Witness followed him, and found that he went to the City Hotel, so he had him arrested. Constable Eekford said he saw the aocused leaving Garden's shop carrying parcels. He noticed accused going towards the City Hotel, and later leaving the entrance. Shortly afterwards Mr Garden reported to witness that he suspected a man of having cashed a questionable cheque to the amount of £39 8s lid. Knowing that a cheque for that amount had been stolen at Patearoa witness followed the accused to the Leviathan Hotel, and there arrested him at 1 a.m. Accused had in his possession the pocket book, stamps, and two cheques (orxe for £25 and one for £1 ss). Accused admitted to witness that rfe had forged the nam© of C. D. Dagg to a cheque he had given to the previous wittess. Accused pleaded " Guilty " to the charge i of forsrery and uttering, but "Not guilty" to theftHe was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence on the charge of forgery and for trial for theft. ,

Accused was remanded to this day week on another charge of forcing at Auckland a Post Office Savings Bank withdrawal slip for £27.