RACING THE LAW

NZ Truth, Issue 978, 23 August 1924, Page 6

RACING THE LAW

In Flight with Four Fivers

Trouble About A Twenty Note,

Is the crime of forgery increasing m New Zealand? Numerous cases have been recently before the Courts, and this week, m the Wellington Magistrate's Court, a young fellow named James Harrison was charged with forging a £1 Bank of Australasia note. The accused pleaded not guilty.

.Witnesses described how Harrison had attempted to change a £20 note for fivers. Marigan Milieich related how accused came to his fish shop m Cambridge Terrace, on July 30, m the evening, and inquired whether he could change a £20 note. As soon as he put down th^ four five pound notes Harrison picked them up and ran out of the shop. Later, he tried the same . trick at a confectioner's, which had no change, and 'shortly afterwards he provided Constable Robb with a little gentle exercise -m Roxburgh Street. Harrison, who looks as it' he had the wee small germ of an athlete m him, ran for a good halfmile with the panting man of law behind him. When arrested and taken to the police: station and asked why he had run, accused replied: "Because I couldn't fly.". .Which sounds reasonable. '' Describing the note, the constable said that it was an ordinary £1 note on which the word "twenty" had been written m large letters m ink across the front. The figures "20" had been cut, apparently from a stage note, and had been pasted on the top corners. The figures : "20" were also passed across the back. Harrison, who was' represented by Lawyer Sievwrtght, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. ' Bail was fixed m one surety of £200, or two of £100.