CHARGE OF FORGERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18710, 16 May 1924, Page 11

CHARGE OF FORGERY.

BANK CLERK PROSECUTED.

JURY FAILS y TO AGREE.

'. [by telegbaph.-—pbess . association,] '.■■"4 '. '-;'-' ■■ ' WELLINGTON. Thursday; : .'• The trial of Reginald Hoggard, a clerk, formerly in the Te Aro."branch of the National Bank,' oh ' charges of '' having gorged a cheque for £117 17b, in the name of the bank, uttering the same," and, alternatively, with the ; theft; of that sum, took place yesterday. ' ~," .\ * , * Evidence i Was given concerning fee two cheques 1 alleged to have been forged fay accused. "An accountant at the bank described certain entries made by accused ■ in the bank's books as "fictitious." Detective ? Nuttal ! related what took place when he visited the bank in response to a telephone call on March 27. ;.- He examined a brown paper parcel, the property of accused, which was found in : ■-.' the basement of the bank, where accused had placed it. Among other things which the parcel contained was betting material, ? such as day cards, double charts, a betting ledger,- also two credit slips, a cheque tom in four pieces, and a speci- • men signature book. His Honor stated that the case was' not a simple one, although it should have been. Could it be said that Hoggard _ was in the box as a victim of a blunder ' or mistake? He had made no explanation, though he was given every oppor- :.,; tunity by the bank to do so. What the jury "had to decide was whether this was a fraudulent transaction. The jury, after deliberating for four■'••; hours, returned at 9.30 p.m., stating that v there was no hope of agreement. A new' ■ trial was ordered for Monday.