J.P. FINED £40

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18234, 1 November 1933, Page 4

J.P. FINED £4O

1 FORGERY OF VOUCHERS C HIE F J USTIC E’S COMM ENT FURTHER INVESTIGATION (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. A line of £lO, in default three months’ imprisonment, was imposed, by the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, in the Supreme Court to-day on Amos Howell, a Hutt Borough councillor who was found guilty of forgery. The accused was allowed 14 days in which to make the payment, j “I feel it difficult to think that these things could have gone on without some person having knowledge of what was happening.” said His Honor. “It certainly needs further investigation. I realise that as far as you personally are concerned, you have already been punished for the offence you have committed.” I It would mean that Howell would Jose his position as a councillor, and His Honor assumed that he would also be removed from the list of Justices of the Peace. In addition, Howell would no doubt also have to face the possibilities of penalties in another court for any offences lie might have committed against, the Municipal Corporations Act. “I have no doubt that this prosecu- ! tion will have done a considerable . amount of good throughout the country,” said His Honor. “It will have the effect of focussing attention on the provisions affecting local government. I do not think it necessary to impose more than a fine to cover the expense to the State of the trial of both yourself and your son.” SON DISCHARGED Acting in accordance with the provisions of section 37 of tho Crimes Act, the Chief Justice discharged Amos Rae Ilowcll, garage assistant, Upper Hutt, who was faced with three charges of forging receipts to the Upper Hutt Borough Council purporting to be signed by others. The case followed along tho lines of the previous ease against Amos Howell, father of the accused, although the two were tried separately. His Honor said that when the, first ! two offences had been committed Howe!! had been only 20 years of age. ft was quite plain that the youth had been working for his father, and in all that he had done with the vouchers he had acted on his father’s instructions. If ho was convicted, he would not have imposed more than nominal j punishment, if any punishment at all. ■ He did not wish to ask the jury for a j verdict which would mean a black , mark against the accused for life, j His Honor said lie knew the jury would accordingly agree with him in making an order for the discharge of the accused without asking members of the jury for a verdict. “It would have tho effect of an acquittal, although it is not actually an acquittal,” said Sir Michael Myers.