FORGERY CHARGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22823, 2 September 1937, Page 13

FORGERY CHARGES

RESERVE BANK NOTES AUCKLANDERS' EVIDENCE PURCHASERS IN CITY SHOPS DISCOVERY BY DETECTIVE [BY TELEGIIAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION'] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Two charges of forging, on or about December 15 last, documents purporting to be £5 banknotes of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand were heard today before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M., against Charles Alfred Ecmmcrs, aged 48, labourer. Detective-Sergeant Doyle conducted the prosecution, and Mr. P. D. N. Yerschaffelt appeared for the accused. Frederick Ernest Kersley said lie conducted a ladies' outfitter's shop in Queen Street, Auckland. Shortly after 3 p.m. on December 24 the accused asked to see some ladies' hosiery. He eventually accepted hosiery to the value of 14s lOd or 15s, and tendered a note, which was half folded. As seen across tlio counter the note had a very suspicious colour. Witness took it out of the accused's sight and inspected it. It appeared to him to be a forgery, and he then took a position between the accused and the door so that tlio accused would have to turn with tlio light in his face. Accused's reaction when told of the forgery was quite in his favour. Notes IdontiQed Betty Stevens, a ladies' outfitter in Queen Street, Auckland, gave evidence that on Christmas Eve the accused asked for a red hat for his daughter and accepted one at 9s lid, paying with a £5 note, for which sho gave change. Sho identified a note produced as the one lie had given. Francis Joan Ramsay, shop assistant, of Auckland, said that when the accused was buying a Buddha valued at 17s 6d he offered a £5 note. She identified a note produced as the one tendered. At a parade at the Auckland central police station she had identified the accused. Muriel McMillan, a jewellery saleswoman in a shop in the Strand Arcade, Auckland, told of a purchase at £3, and said change was given for a £5 note, which was the only one taken in her shop that day. Afterward she examined the note and found that the word "governor" was missing. Purchase of a Truck William Reuben Marsden, garage proprietor, of Wellington, said that oil December 9 last the accused asked for a light truck and agreed to take one for £2O. He gave his name as Harry Jones and said ho required the truck to go to Napier on a contracting job. He handed over four £5 notes , and witness gave him £1 back to buy a spare tyre. Two employees of an Auckland motor firm gave evidence in relation to the purchase of a tyre on December 24 by the accused, wdio received £1 16s 9d change from a £5 note, which was subsequently found to be forged. Defects in the Notes Phillip Wallace Hector, an officer of the Reserve Bank, said he examined the bank notes produced. They wore not printed on genuine paper. The date on the notes was omitted and the word "governor" was omitted. There were numerous small differences in the printing, both on the front and back of the not-?. The watermark was not genuine. The notes were made of two pieces of paper instead of one. Detective H. E. Capin said that h° found photographic and process material in a shed occupied by the accused. Charles Moore, process engraver, Wellington, said that he supplied pieces of zinc to the accused, who said that his son wanted to make some Christmas cards.

Detective W. J. McPhee said that the accused had denied knowledge of the forgeries and said that a man named Burkett had had uso of his shed.

The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow.