FORGERY ADMITTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23573, 6 February 1940, Page 11

FORGERY ADMITTED

OFFENDERS DEALT WITH NUMBER GRANTED PROBATION Charges involving forgery had been admitted bv a number of prisoners who appeared in the Supreme Court for sentence yesterday before Mr. Justice Cnllan. A cheque for £l2 10s was referred to in charges of forgery and uttering against Kenneth Raymond Ihomson, salesman (Mr. Noble) committed from Whakatane. "Jt was an impulsive lapse,'' said counsel. His Honor said lie was impressed by the circumstance that prisoner had "kept straight" lor live years. He was sentenced to lo months' imprisonment. Theft of money and a lorged bank slip for £5 were involved in charges of housebreaking and torgery, lor which Donald McDonald, aged 21 (Mr. Meek), was committed from To Aroha. "It was mean and deliberate," said His Honor, granting probation for three years, and ordering the payment of £lB, including £l2 16s restitution. "The cheques concerned are some of the crudest forgeries 1 have seen," said Mr. Guy, counsel for Arthur Solomon Tanhinu, who appeared with William Kahi Wiparata, both Maoris, aged 20. on a series of charges which they had admitted at Kaikohc. Both faced three charges of forgery, and there were three separate charges against Wiparata of uttering and one of attempting to utter a forgery. His Honor said there' was nothing to choose between the prisoners, who were admitted to probation for three years and ordered to pay £2O each toward restitution and costs. A stolen bank book and the withdrawal of £l7 were referred to_ in charges of forgery and uttering against Allan Roy Hawiccless. labourer, aged 22, who was placed on probation for two years, and ordered to pay £22, including £l7 restitution. "He may be expected to reform under the guidance of a married sister without imprisonment," said His Honor.