CHARGES OF FORGERY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 9167, 29 July 1890, Page 3

CHARGES OF FORGERY.

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. At the Police Court yesterday, before Messrs E. Westenra, H. Westmacott, and W. J. Neafce, J.P.’s, Fred Moreland Hadfield and Jod Harrop were charged; on remand, with forging the name of William Goodwin to a cheque for .£47 10s on the Bank of New South Wales, and uttering the same to George Henry Bush, on June 14, 1890. Mr Kippenberger appeared for Hadfield, and Mr H. 0. D. Meares for Harrop. Charles Selby Howell, saddler, 162, Cashel street: Accused Hadfield bad asked him for blank cheques on several occasions. The cheque produced corresponded with a leaf in the block of witness’ cheque book, marked Hadfield, June 11. Cross-examined: Had not given many blank cheques to other people. George Henry Bush, cabinetmaker, employed by Harrop and Wigg, carrying on business in Queen street, Christchurch: Mr Harrop had a private house, Sfc Asaph street East. Was there on June 14 last. Mr Hadfield came there just before dinner and spoke to Mr Harrop for a short time. Then one of them—could not say which—asked witness to go and change a cheque for £47 10s. It purported to be signed "William Goodwin.” Took the cheque to the Bank of New South Wales, as they told him to do. The cheque produced was the one. The Bank cashed the cheque after witness had endorsed it at the clerk’s request. Received eight £5 notes, seven £1 notes, and 10s. Met Hadfield in St Asaph street and gave him the money. Hadfield said, “ I ought to have endorsed it.” Subsequently saw Harrop, who asked if, witness had given Hadfield the money. Had cashed another cheque for the accused in May previously, for the same amount, on the same Bank, and with the same signature. Thought Mr Harrop sent him to the Bank with it. The cheque dated May 23 was the one. Cross-examined: Hadfield was related to Harrop, and was constantly coming to the shop.' Could not remember which of the two gave himihe cheque in May. Mr Kippenberger said that Hadfield instructed him that Harrop had nothing whatever to do with the cheques, but had simply sent his boy to cash them. William Goodwin, farmer, Greenparfc: Kept an account at the Bank of New South Wales. The cheque dated June 14 (produced) was not written or signed by him. Did not know either of the accused. Never gave them any cheques. Had not signed the cheque for £47 10s dated May 23, nor two others dated Feb. 12 and April 2.

Cross-examined: Had some cheques bearing his proper signature. Produced them. Cheques he had signed had been returned “ signature unlike.” Hia signature varied sometimes. That was many months ago. Had not been particular whose cheque hook he had used, but would be more careful in future. Generally put up at the Terminus Hotel when in town. Had once put up at Sheppard’s Tattersall's Hotel, in May, 1889. Gave a cheque on that occasion for £ls. Once tore up a cheque for i!SO which had been returned u signature unlike.” That was in January last. Had given that cheque to J. 0. Sheppard. Edward Thomas, ledger-keeper at the Bank of New South Wales, gave evidence of the cashing of the cheque in question. On July 18 Hadfield presented a cheque purporting to be signed by William Goodwin. Asked him to wait till it was referred to the Manager; he said he had got it from Sheppard, at Tattersall’s Hotel. The cheque was returned uncashed. Cross-examined: Witness was not ledgerkeeper when the cheques alleged to be forged were cashed. Henry George Sheppard, licensee of Tattersall’s Hotel, Cashel street: Accused were cousins. Knew Hadfield’s handwriting. Could not say that the writing on the cheque produced was in Hadfiold’s handwriting. Had never given Hadfield a blank cheque. Cross-examined: Was no relation of Hadfield’s. Would not have objected to supply him with a blank cheque, or to have changed “a cheque with a good mark” for him. David Stranaghan, financial agent, Hereford street: Had done business with the accused Hadfield. Had seen bis handwriting. The writing in the body of the cheque named in the charge, especially the word “ pounds ” and the figures, was like Hadfield’s, but could not say the signature was. Inspector Pender handed the witness several cheques, including one found on Hadfield when arrested. Witness said some of the figures resembled Hadfield’s. John M'Namara, licensee of the City Hotel: Knew accused Harrop. Eeceived a crossed cheque from him on Feb. 18 last. Harrop said he had no banking account, and wanted witness to change it. Witness did not cash it at once, but ran the cheque through his banking account, and, finding it was honoured, gave one of his own cheques for it a day or two afterwards. Hugh Eobert Eieh, ledger-keeper at the National Bank, Christchurch : Harrop was a customer at the Bank in con junction with hia partner. Harrop and Wigg had a hanking account there last February. The cheque produced for >£2B 17s 9d was paid into Harrop and Wigg'a account on April 8. The credit slip was signed by Harrop. Maurice O’Connor, Chief Detective: On July 21, witness and William Goodwin met Hadfield in Madras street and brought him to the police station. Searched him and found a cheque on him signed "Wm. Goodwin.” Hadfield said : : “I’ll say nothing. The least said the soonest mended.” Was continually examining cheques, and had no doubt that the other cheques referred to in the case were in the same handwriting with that found on Hadfield. Arrested Harrop on July 24, and charged hifi with forging and uttering a cheque for JE37 18s 9d in the name of William Goodwin. Harrop said: “ I did not know the cheque was forged.” Witness said: “ It appears you are mixed up in several other of the forged cheques.” Harrop replied : “ Yes, he (meaning Hadfield) used to come to the factory and ask me bo let one of my boys go to the Bank with a cheque. I thought the cheques were all right, and allowed the boy to go. I never had the cheques and did not know the signature. I think there was one of them, a crossed cheque, paid into my account.” To Mr Meares: Did not think the

signatures to the cheques were in Mr Harrop’s handwriting. Had seen Harrop sign with his left hand. Had known him two or three years and never heard anything against him. This was all the evidence offered by the police. Mr Meares submitted that the charge as against Harrop must be dismissed. No prima facie case bad been made out against him. Harrop’s statement to the police was exactly in accord with the evidence, and there was not a tittle of evidence to connect Harrop, who was a most respectable citizen, with, the supposed forgeries. The Bench considered there was not sufficient evidence as against Harrop to justify a committal. The accused Hadfield was cautioned in the ’ usual way. He' had nothing ‘to say, and was committed for trial. ■!■■■■

Mr, ..'Kippenberger, said Mr H. ,?G, S SJheppard wished ,him to say. that , he (Mr .’ Sheppard) knew / npthihg ;i ah.out GOodwinV- cheque -for £SO referred' to above. Mr Sheppard was ill at the time referred to.

Hadfield and Harrop were then charged with forging the name of William Goodwin to a cheque for £47 10s on the Bank of New South Wales, and uttering the same to George Henry Bush on May 23 last. Francis Henry Steele, butcher, 178 and 180, Colombo street: Had given Hadfield blank cheques. • Could nob say whether the cheque produced came out of his book or not. The cheque looked as if it had been tampered with. Four "I's’* in the number on the cheque corresponded with witness’ block; but there was no "U” and no "7” as in the block. Had given Hadfield four or five blank cheques. George Henry Bush, the lad employed by Harrop and Wigg: Saw Hadfield and Harrop in conversation about May 23. One of them gave him a cheque (produced, it was dated May 21) to get cashed. Went to the Bank and got eight £5 notes, and seven £1 notes, and 10s. Gave the money to Hadfield in Harrop’s presence.

William Goodwin : The signature to the cheque was not his. It was a forgery, and so were the other cheques referred to in the case.

Edward Thomas, ledger-keeper: The cheque dated May 21 produced had been cashed. Thought it came out of the block of Mr Steele’s cheque book produced. The signature was the same as that on the cheque which Hadfield had presented, and which had been returned to him uncashed.

David Stranaghan: The word " pounds ” on the cheque in question . was like Hadfield’s writing. Chief Detective O’Connor and Hugh E. Rich also gave evidence. Joseph Wigg, cabinetmaker, partner with accused Harrop : The bank-book produced was that of the firm. The cheque produced for £2B 17s 9d was taken from the bank-book. The block had been torn out with it. Harrop had always acted honestly and straightforwardly to witness. Mr Meares addressed the Bench, and pointed out that it would be as reasonable to indict Howell for connection with the previous forgery as to connect Harrop with this case, merely ou the assumption that he had given a blank cheque to Hadfield. The case as against Harrop was dismissed, and Hadfield committed for trial. Hadfield and Harrop were next charged with forging a cheque for £3718a 9d on the Bank of New South Wales, in the name of William Goodwin, on Feb, 17 last, and uttering it to John M'Namara. Francis Henry Steele, butcher, Colombo street: The cheque produced corresponded in number with the butt of witness’ cheque-book. Gave Hadfield a blank cheque between Feb. 11 and 18 last. John M'Namara, licensee of the City Hotel, repeated the evidence he had given in the former case. The cheque in question was the one which Harrop had asked him to run through his hanking account, because Harrop said he bad no banking account.

Cross-examined: Had cashed cheques for Harrop before. Had cashed one of Harrop and Wigg’s cheques afterwards. H. E. Eich, ledger-keeper at the National Bank: Harrop and Wigg had a banking account, and Harrop could have paid the crossed cheque for £3718s 9dinto it at the time instead of passing it through another person’s account. After Mr Meares had addressed the Bench, their Worships directed both prisoners to be cautioned. Hadfield had nothing to say. Joe Harrop elected to be sworn, and stated ;lama cabinet-maker by trade, and a cousin of Hadfield’a. Hadfield came to see me in February at my workshop in Christchurch.. He came very frequently. Remembered cashing the cheque m question. Got it from Hadfield. Could not swear to the cheque, hut it was for the same amount. Hadfield came to the shop and asked me if I could change a cheque for him. Hadfield had frequently said that he had won a case about his father’s legacy, and was coming in for a lot of money directly, and I understood that these cheques he was getting he drew on the strength of the money that .was coming to him. Hadfield had said he would get over .£IOOO, and I knew he had a case on. He asked me to change the cheque produced. I took it to M'Namara. We had not been doing much business with oiir bank, and 1 thought they would think we were making a convenience of them by paying in a crossed cheque and drawing out the amount next day. Saw M'Namara and asked him' if he would put the cheque through his account tor me. He said, “What Goodwin is it ?” I said, “I don’t know.” He said, “Is it all right ? ” I said, " I don’t know; put it through your account, and if it’s all right I’ll call to-morrow morning.” I did so, and went to the Bank of New Zealand with Mr M'Namara, and asked if the cheque was all right. M'Namara drew out a cheque and gave it to me. Cashed it. Subsequently M'Namara told me that Hadfield had been arrested for forging three cheques. Said’ to him, " Was it not Goodwin that was on the cheque you paid into the bank . for, me ? ” I went to the police station and saw Mr O’Connor and gave myself, np.. Always believed the cheques were genuine. 1 • To Mr Pender ': Hadfielddid not tell mo who Goodwin was. Never asked him. He asked me to let the boy go and cash them. He asked me to pass the cheque for £37 18s9dthroughhia own account. Hid not tell M'Namara that I had no banking account. Had paid another cheque which Hadfield gave me into our account. Believe I gave Hadfield one or two blank cheques. Had left my own house one night and went to Lyttelton. Stayed there all night, because there was a "social” on at the British Hotel, and not to avoid Detective O’Connor. Mr Meares called Hadfield, but Mr Kippenberger objected, and he was not examined. The Bench dismissed the case as against Harrop, remarking that they believed he had no felonious intent, and committed Hadfield for trial. Seven charges remained against Hadfield) with two of which Harrop was charged conjointly, but at 5.10 p.m. the Court adjourned the hearing of these charges till 2 p.m. the following day. The Bench refused at this stage to grant Hadfieldbail, but granted bail to Harrop himself in £SO and one surety in £SO.