FORGERY & UTTERING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7449, 25 May 1911, Page 6

FORGERY & UTTERING

YOUNG HAN PLEADS GUILTY. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. William Stanley Wesley, a young man and a recent arrival from England, was charged before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M-, in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, with haring, oh May 18th, at Wellington, forged the name of George Walker to a Wellington Post Office Savings Bank withdrawal receipt, , and with, having utter-ed the same to Arthur Wimbley Phillips with intent that it should be acted upon as genuine. " Chief Detective Broberg prosecuted, and Mr H. F. O’Leary appeared for accused. • George Walker, labourer, stated that he kept some of his effects, among which was his Post Office Savings Bank book, in a sack in bis room. On May 13th ac-, cuscd came to witnesses room, and some days later occupied a bed there.' On May 18th witness discovered that his bank book was missing. He had seen it in the sack on the previous day. Just after witness discovered his loss accused came into the room, and witness told him that somebody had been to his sack. Accused' replied that ho had seen a book in the bathroom that morning, and witness, on going to the bathroom, discovered the missing article. The account had. been made up, and the interest added, making the total amount to witness’s credit £ll2 17s Bd. He. had given nobody authority to operate on his account. Arthur W. Phillips, clerk in the Post Office Savings Bank, said that on Thursday, May 18th, about 11 a.m., the accused presented to him_ the bank book produced. He said he wished to draw all the money mentioned in the book out of the bank. Yv itnc-s told him to call back in half an hour, and this accused did. He was given a withdrawal receipt to fill in and he did so, the sum mentioned being .£IOO 7s fid. Witness was dissatisfied with the signature, which purported to ibo that of George Walker. Another -clerk made out a second receipt. Accused filled this in for Jill 7s Bd, but witness was still dissatisfied with the signature. Accused filled in two more receipts with the same result. To Mr O’ Leary: No money was paid out,, and accused received nothing at all. Detective Lewis stated that on, May 20th Detective Andrews and he arrested the accused and charged him with the present offence. Before arresting him witness told him ho was suspected of having committed -the offence, and that some official from the bank would he called down to see if he could identify him. Accused replied: “1 found Walker's book in the bathroom at the place where we lodge, and L took it to the Savings Bank and tried to get the money. X signed the receipt slips in the name of George Walker. I was 'hard up’ and wanted the money.” Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.