MARRIAGE AND ARREST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 18 December 1917, Page 5

MARRIAGE A ND ARREST

WITHIN THREE DAYS

YOUN-GH BRIDEGROOM CHARGED'

WITH FORGERY

On Saturday last a young couple called at the office of the Registrar of Marriages (Mr S. Tyson) and stated that they wished to be married. The ceremony completed the Registrar asked for the fee £2 5s when the bridegroom replied that he had a cheque in his pocket and money in the Savings Bank. The. Registrar was not keen on taking the cheque, and the bridegroom then said he would go to the Savings Bank and draw out some money, and return with the fee. This arrangement was accepted by the Registrar. The bridegroom, however, failed to put in another appearance, so during the afternoon he was hunted up and explained that he had" late to draw the money from fche bank, but promised that he would be at the Registrar's Office on Monday, between 9 and 10 o'clock. The bridegroom again failed to keep his promise, so the Registrar again set out to the home pf the bride's parents. However, before reaching the house, Registrar and bridegroom met, when there were further explanations, at the end of which the newly-married man asked the Registrar to wait where he was while he went back to the house. The (Registrar waited for some time,, and then as the other party dT3 not turn up also went to the house. Knocking brought no reply hot was there any response to a call through an open window The Registrar inquired of a neighbour if she had seen a young man about, and received a reply that he had gone across, the next street. The E-istrar continued his search, and the next information ho gathered was that a man answering to the description^ given had been, seen making along the railway line. The bride's father was seen, but he could not give any infor ™ a , tlon -.. cept that the young man had told him he had £6OOO in the bank and a valuable property at Seatoun. The Registrar then temporarily B ave "*\ th * chase. Meanwhile the police had been prosecuting inquiries concerning the alleged forging of cheques. Constable McGregor called at the Registrars office and was shown the bridegrooms signature. The similarity of the marriage signature with that on the cheques led to the arrest on the railway platform last evening by Constable McGregor, of Archibald Andrew Charles Scott, on a charge of forgery. The accused was brought before Messrs T. Edwards and E. Smallbone Justices, this morning, charged with having, on or about 11th December forged the name of Thomas Hunt oi Nelson to a cheque for £1 4s; and further with having on or about 13th .December, forging the name of 1 nomas Hunt, to a cheque for £1 6s. • The police asked for .a remand till Saturday, stating that they were not ready with the evidence, and that further charges were pending. The remand was granted. -