THE FALSE CHEOUES CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11436, 5 February 1923, Page 5

THE FALSE CHEOUES CASE

HAWKINS & MAKIN BROTHERS APPEAR FOR SENTENCE. PUNISHMENT NOT DECIDED. Leonard Walter Makin, William Holland Makin and Percy Dowling Hawkins, who pleaded guilty recently to eighteen, charges of drawing false cheques on the Bank of New Zealand, appeared in the Supreme Court on Saturday to he sentenced. l lt will be remembered that the total amounts named in the charges exceeded £II,OOO. Mr A. W. Blair, who appeared for Hawkins, said that up to a certain point Hawkins had been prepared to be a party to this nefarious scheme, but later had decided to have nothing to do with it. His subsequent actions showed that he was sincerely repentant, and that at bottom he was a man of character and deserving of another chance. Mr Justice Chapman: You suggest what? Mr Blair: I would like your honour to jfcreat him as one . not deserving of imprisonment. His Honour: There is a difficulty about that in connection with a conspiracy, Mr Blair. Mr Blair: Yes, but the charge he has pleaded guilty to is one of forgery, your Honour. There are other charges the police could have made, but they appreciate the assistance rendered them- by Hawkins and the other men.

His Honour: But the schema could not have been carried out without the assistance of Hawkins. Mr Blair: Had the others dona what Hawkins did the scheme would never have been heard of. He did nothing to further the scheme after he realised the seriousness or the wickedness of it. ‘ Mr L. Etherington, of New Plymouth, counsel for the Makins, represented to the court that' as soon as they could the accused' placed the poliqe in possession of the facts. Both the Makins had been born in England, and one of them had been in some small trouble before this—an affair with a motor-ear, respecting which he was granted probation. His Honour remarked _ that ■ that should have been a warning. • Mr Etherington: I will ask your Honour to- consider probation. It is true that William Makin has had his first chance, but he has been very heavily punished. Mir Etherington added that William Makin, as a. result of this folly, had lost his farm, brought great suffering on his wife, and the fact remained that no one hut themselves suffered for what he had done. Tho men had not taken a penny and they had done everything to make things easy for the police. At tho mention of his wife William Makin wept. Mr P. S. K. Macassev, who appeared for the Crown, said that William Makin omened accounts on thirteen hanks and was standing to make over £BOOO. Leonard Makin opened accounts at five banks, and stood to get £3318. Hawkins tore up his cheques, and did not attempt to open accounts.

His Honour: I will not say what I will do in the matter. I will consider what course I shall take and deal with the matter on Monday or Tuesday.