CHARGE OF FORGERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10417, 15 April 1897, Page 5

CHARGE OF FORGERY.

PROSECUTION OF A POST OFFICE OFFICIAL, [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS A93SOOIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. At the Magistrate'* Court William Gilloapie, clerk in the Postal Department, Palmersron North, and formerly of Masterton, was charged with having, on June 20, 1896, at Maeterton, forged a request foe £100 on the Post Office Savings Bank; on Juno 25, with having forged a receipt for £100; on December 3, with having forged a request for £15 ; and on December 12, a receipt for £15. Frank Price, a labourer, deposed that in February he gob a new book for hia account in the Savings Bank, accused stating that the former book had been lost or burned, There was a large difference respecting the amount which should have beon to credit in his new book. Witness called the attention of the Department to the discrepancy, and a fresh book was supplied, He never drew the £15 or £100 debited to him, nor were they drawn with his authority. Hβ never saw accused since he got the new book. Witness and accused were friendly from boyhood, and when the former had business to transact he always went to Gillespie, He had lent acoused money, but never gave him a blank order to draw money. The signature to the request was like that of witness, but he had no recollection of signing it. Witness bad signed a m'milnr document when he agreed to loan him £50. Witness waa to sign the document and aooused would fill in the amount. It was three years since witness lent accused money, and It had not been repaid. It was nob till he gob a copy of the old bank-book that he knew the money w»« withdrawn. When Gillcspie was transferred to Valmereton North he told witness there was £242 to (he latter's credit at the Bank. The credit was then £124, but £118 had been paid dnce. Win. Morris, senior clerk in the accountant's office, General Poet-office, deposed that on complaint from Price he went to Palraerston North and saw Gilleepie, accusing him of forging Price's name. Accused practically admitted the offence, and asked what he should do, Witness urged that he should make a " clean breast." Accuied wrote a letter to the Department, stating that the temptation in view of hit being pushed by creditors was overwhelming, bub he. intended to repay it. A large amount had been repaid, and he intended to repay £80, the balance The defence was reserved, and accused w»s committed for trial. Bail was allowoil, himself in £100! and two. sureties of £50each. '.."''