FORGED REFERENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20132, 18 December 1928, Page 14

FORGED REFERENCES.

YOUNG CHEMIST'S OFFENCE. ORDERED TO PAY COSTS. The action of Donald Macfarlane Eraser, chemist, aged 26 (Mr. Finlay), in forging references with a view to securing a remunerative position, brought him before Mr. Justice Frazer in the Supreme Court yesterday for sentence. Mr. Finlay said tho case presented some pathetic circumstances, which tho depositions did not disclose. Prisoner was a chemist, and had kept to that profession so far as ho had found scope for employment in it. Undor tho stress of the prosent unemployment ho had recently found a position on a part-time basis, which brought him in only £3 a week. A somewhat flamboyant advertisement offering a considerable salary attracted his notice, and he forged testimonials with a view to securing the job. lie did not want to take anybody's money or to defraud anyone.

The difficulty of the case lay in the fact that prisoner was a member of a guild, and was probably liable, to be struck off tho rolls. Counsel asked tho Judge to deal with him under section. 18 of tho First Offenders Act, which enables prisoners to bo discharged without sentence, this having tho effect of an acquittal. The Pharmaceutical Board might then take a more lenient view of the case.

Mr, Hubble, for tho Crown, said prisoner had sought to obtain ft position of considerable responsibility by means of forged references, perhaps laying himself open to serious comment as imposing himself on tlio public by false pretences. The position was not one that should bo filled by any but a qualified chemist, with genuine references.

His Honor said he was afraid ho could; not go all the way in accepting Mr. Finlay's suggestion, because, although the forgery was not dono to defraud in the ordinary sense, yet it amounted (o the prisoner holding himself out to be a man of greater exporienco than he was. If ho fjad been successful, ho might not have proved qualified for the reciuiremonts of tlio position. Of course, ho had qualified as a chomist, but experience was of groat importance when a man sought a position of more responsibility than that of an ordinary chemist. The probation officer had agreed (hat probably in this case probation would not be of great service. No probation would thereforo be imposed, and prisoner would simply be ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution, £1 lis.