FORGERY CHARGES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21899, 18 December 1945, Page 4

FORGERY CHARGES

RETIRED postmaster

OIL FUEL LICENSES

AUCKLAND PROSECUTION (P A .) AUCKLAND, Dec. 18. Recently retired from the position of chief postmaster at Auckland, Charles Clark appeared on summons before the magistrate, Mr. J. H Luxford, in the Police Court yesterday 'on six charges of forgery. He was charged with forging between October 30. 1944, and July 6, 1945, special oil fuel licenses purporting to be signed by J. Jackson, J. James, W Watson, C. Watson, and J. Watson with intent that they should be acted upon as if genuine. There are 11 witnesses to be called and it is not expected that the hearing will conclude before to-day. The first witness, Herbert Godfrey Thorpe, assistant supervisor of the clerical branch at the Chief Post Office, Hamilton, said that Clark was chief postmaster at Hamilton before his transfer as chief postmaster at Auckland. The witness was in charge of the oil fuel section at Hamilton'until just recently. He recalled that about October 12, 1944, he received a telephone message from the accused stating that he wanted some special oil fuel license forms. He did not say why he wanted the forms, but he told the witness to send them to the chief postmaster at Auckland.

The witness said he sent them so addressed, marking the letter “Confidential."

He produced the record book showing the issue of oil fuel forms and pointed to the entry showing that on October 12, 1944, forms numbered from D 179.501 to D 179.700 were dispatched. In reply to a question the witness said that in response to a subsequent request from Clark he sent similar forms to the accused.

Search of Returned Licenses

George Inglis Williamson, supervisor of the oil fuel section at the Chief Post Office, said that Clark as chief postmaster assumed the position of district oil fuel controller and was also chairman of the advisory committee. The witness said that after a special oil fuel license was issued it was the responsibility of the holder to return the expired license to the issuing office. In the majority o£ cases these licenses were returned, but it was not possible, to obtain the return of expired servicemen's licenses.

About September 12 last the witness was visited by two officials from, the head office for the purpose of inquiring into the issue of special licenses in the Auckland district. Prior to the visit the accused once asked the witness if he had seen any licenses signed “J. Watson.” The witness said he had not. The witness said he assisted the officials to make a search of the returned special licenses in a particular series, and as a result of the search he came across the five special licenses produced.

(Proceeding)