FORGERY AND UTTERING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21578, 24 August 1933, Page 11

FORGERY AND UTTERING

OFFENCES BY FARM HAND CHEQUES AT PUTARURU VARIOUS SHOPS VISITED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] PUTARURU, Wednesday A farm hand, Harry George Wilkinson, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court at Putaruru to-day to six charges of forging and uttering, on June 6, cheques purporting to be signed by C. A. Holdcroft, five charges relating to cheques for £7 5s each, and the other to one for £8 4s. C. A. Holdcroft gave evidence that he had been approached four months previously and asked to give accused work. From then until June 6 accused had been employed by him. On that date accused left without giving notice, and witness searched to see if anything was missing, but did not miss anything. The next day, following a visit from a constable, ho discovered that his cheque book was missing from his coat in tho kitchen. The cheques produced were from his book, but the signatures were not his.

Various tradespeople in Putaruru gave evidence that accused had called at their shops after banking hours on June 6 and presented cheques. In five cases goods were purchased and change given and the remaining cheque was changed for cash. All witnesses said the drawer named was known to them and the cheques were cashed without question, but in one case accused was asked to endorse a cheque and he endorsed it with tho name of H. Jackson.

Evidence was given by Constable Trotter of a statement made by accused, in which he stated ho had been working for Mr. Holdcroft under the name of Harry Williams. Ho had noticed the cheque book in the coat pocket and, acting on a sudden impulse, he took it and left the farm. He went to the Putaruru post office, filled in a number of cheques and cashed them at various stores.

Accused was committed to the Supreme Court at Hamilton for sentence.