FORGERY OF RECEIPTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16374, 31 October 1916, Page 6

FORGERY OF RECEIPTS.

OUTCOME OF EXTRAVAGANCE j

ACCUSED TO ENLIST. [DV TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] j CHRISTCHUKCH. Monday. | At the Supreme Court, to-day, Jon i Gunderseu, clerk in the Christchurch j branch of the Public Trust Office, appeared '. for sentence on four charges of forgery of | office receipt?. Mr. Alpevs, who appeared for accused, Elated that accused had lived beyond his means in a selfish way, spending more money than he earned. He did. not appear to have any particular vice, nor to have lost money in betting, drunkenness, or other dissipation, but hs appeared to have frittered money away on follies and amusements. Ho borrowed from the money-lender and then from tip Public Trusteo, and again from tho Publio Trustee. This had been going on for apparently 11 mouths. In June last prisoner, who had been previously rejected from tho territorial force on account of unfitness, made himself fit and enlisted for active service, and was accepted. Accused had made a full disclosure of his embezzlements to the Public Trustee. Accused was entitled to a fifth interest—about £160—in two years' time, in £800, under his late father's will. The defalcation! did not amount to more than £130 or £140, and accused was prepared to assign his interest in his father's estate to cover that amount.

Mr. Raymond,* K.C., said accused attributed his defalcations to being about the town drinking with other young fellows. The total defalcations, so far as could b« discovered, amounted to a little under £130. extending over a period of some months.

His Honor said if the defalcations were made good and prisoner wished to serve his country, he would throw no obstacles in his way. He would let tho matter stand over till Wednesday moraing, Mr. Alpers to have the assignment of accused's interest in his father's estate made to the Public Trustee. He would then order prisoner to come up for tentence when called up, and not to be called upon if he enlisted.