SUPREME COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15941, 11 June 1915, Page 5

SUPREME COURT.

HAMILTON SITTINGS.

MYSTERY OF A CHEQUE.

CASE WITH UNUSUAL FEATURE.

[by telegraph.—own

Hamilton, Thursday. A middle-aged man, named John Johnson, was charged at the Supreme Court to-day with forgery and uttering.

According to the evidence for the prosecution, tho prisoner, on leaving the employ of a man named Eshelby, at Kawhia, received a cheque for £5 ss. This, on! presentation at the bank by a person resembling prisoner, had been altered to £15 15s. During the proceedings in tho Lower Court, the justices called the clerk, who was the local constable, into a private room, and accused and another man named Barton, who had been taking the depositions, were left in the Court with the documonts relating to the prosecution. While Barton turned his back to close the door, the forged cheque, forming the basis' of the charge, disappeared, and it was assumed that this had been swallowed by' prisoner, as no trace could be found of it. The jury disagreed, and Mr. Justice Cooper ordered a now trial to take place at the September sittings. Edward Hanlon, who had been found guilty of committing an indecent act, and guilty, with a strong recommendation to mercy, on a charge of indecent assault, was sentenced to one year's imprisonment on the first charge, and two years' imprisonment on the second charge. Prisoner was also ordered to undergo reformative treatment for a period not exceeding three years. ___