FORGING AND UTTERING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12478, 23 January 1904, Page 5

FORGING AND UTTERING.

COMMITTED FOR SBNTENO—

A middle-aged man named George IC. Adrian was charged at the Police Court yesterday before Mr. T. Hutchison, S.M., with having forged a cheque for £4 10s in the name of F. Hoffman and Pons, and uttering the same to Christopher Leek. Chief-Detective Grace conducted the prosecution on behalf of the police.

Christopher Leek, the licensee of tho Royal George Hotel, Newmarket, stated that the accused came to his hotel in November last, lodging there until January 4. Prior to the latte. date, amused had told him that he had received a cheque from Hoffman's, and on the 4-th he tendered a cheque for £4 10 purporting to be signed by them in payment of his board, la consequence of the accused having tuned the piano at the hotel, witness allowed lnrn 10s oil' the cheque, and so gave him £3 5s in change. Witness then paid the cheque into his account, but, as it was returned, he handed it over to the police. Ac«*used left his hotel on the sth inst, and he 'had not seen him since.

M.. Hoffman, a member of tho firm of Hoffman and Sons, said that his mother always signed the firm's cheques in her name, and the signature upon tho cheque was not theirs. When the accused was getting some instruments in the firm's shop some time ago, lie asaed him for some blank cln ies, but, ho did not get any, as witness said he had none.

The licensee of the Prince Arthur Hotel deposed to accused calling upon him ir December last, when ho asked for several blank cheques. Witness accordingly supplied thin and one of the but I '' corresponded to that of the cheque produced.

Constable Stiller gave evidence as to arrest, 3tating that the accused confessed everything to him, explaining that his conduct was due to excessive drinking.

Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed sor sentence.