FORGERY AND FRAUD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19156, 23 October 1925, Page 15

FORGERY AND FRAUD.

OFFENCES BY BUSHMAN.

VALUELESS CHEQUES ISSUED

COMMITTAL FOR SENTENCE

Eighteen charges of forgery, issuing valueless cheques, false pretences and theft were admitted by John Petley, a middleaged bushman, in the Police Court yesterday. Chief-Detective Cnmmings said the offences were committed in various parts of the Auckland Province. The total amount represented by the forged and valueless cheques was £l9O Ss 9d and goods and money to the value of £66 4s 3d were actualfy received by accused. The cash received totalled £44 8s 6d. He had no money when arrested. He was addicted to drink. Detective O'Brien said that accused had expressed his desire to assist the police and clear up the charges as he did not want to put the country to the expense of calling a number of witnesses from all parts of the province. In a statement made to witness accused said he was a bushman and sawmill hand. He left his wife and five children in Wellington in 1922 and had not communicated with his wife since. Drink was the cause of all the trouble and while under its effects he had spent all the money received by means of the valueless cheques. The chief detective said the procedure adopted by accused was to purchaso goods, and then ask the vendor to fill in the body of the cheque for a larger amount than the value of the goods, stating that he required some change. In most cases he obtained money as change. In some cases lie did not take delivery of the goods, but either said would call for them later or asking that they should bo sent to an address given. All the goods obtained by this means had been recovered but thev were very much depreciated. The money had not been recovered. Accused was committed by Mr. D. Donaldson and Mr. L. S. Rickerby, J.P's., to the Supreme Court for sentence.