MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 7 April 1934, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

CHARGE OF FORGERY. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, two men, George Watson and John Spain, were jointly charged before Messrs W. G. Ashworth and J. T. Boswortli, J.P.’s, that, on March 21, at Palmerston North, they committed forgery by forging the endorsement of H. Bulford to a cheque issued by the Palmerston North Hospital Board for 15s, with the intention that it be acted up as genuine. Accused were not represented by counsel. Senior-Detective Cjuirke conducted the proceedings for the police. - Dudley Phillip Lovelock, olerk to the Palmerston North Hospital Board, gave evidence that, on March 21 last, a man had called at the office and presented a ticket for a week’s rent of a room occupied by J. Spain and asked for payment. It was for 5s and was payable to Mr Bulford. The man had mentioned that he was a brother-in-law of H. Bulford. There had been a cheque lying in the office for 15s in favour of H. Bulford for three previous weeks’ rent and ivitness had handed it to the man whom ivitness recognised as accused Watson, together with a receipt lor signature by Mrs Bulford. In reply to Watson witness stated that he was certain he (Watson) had called at the office twice on Wednesday morning, March 21. Henry Leo Bulford, electrical linesman, stated that a man named J. Spain had occupied a bach at the rear ot his residence, the Hospital Board assisting the occupier in tile payment of the rent to the extent ot 5s per week. The endorsement on the cheque produced was not his signature, nor had lie authorised anyone to endorse the cheque. Detective Power gave evidence as to approaching the two accused relative to a cheque issued by the Hospital Board and of having taken statements from both. Accused Watson stated therein that Spain had not been aware of the action he had taken, although Spain had been with him in an hotel when he (Watson) had cashed the cheque. In his statement, accused Spain admitted that he had arranged with Watson to cash the docket for ss, which was due to Mrs Bulford. While not successful in that direction, they had decided to take the cheque, which was to have been handed to Mrs Bulford to an hotel and endeavoured to cash’ it. This they had done, but save for one drink each, tho balance ol the money had been used to pay up the arears in rent. When asked whether they had anything to say, accused Watson replied in the negative, entering a plea ot guilty. Spain pleaded not guilty to tho charge of forgery. The Bench: What is the charge against Spain. Mr Quirke: He is jointly charged with Watson. The law governing the position where two or more are involved in a case of forgery and uttering is quite clear. VVatson was ordered to appear at the next sessions of the Supreme Court at Palmerston North for sentence and Spain was committed for trial. Bail was allowed Spain in £25 and a suxety of a like amount.