DISAPPEARANCE OF A CHEQUE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13792, 12 June 1915, Page 2

DISAPPEARANCE OF A CHEQUE.

[ United Press Association.]

Hamilton, June 11

A case disclosing extraordinary circumstances was heard before Mr. Justice Cooper and a common jury at the Hamilton Supreme Courjx A middleaged man, named John Johnison, of Kawhia, was charged-with forgery and uttering. According tc the evidence for the prosecution the accused on leaving his employ received a cheque for £5 ss. This on presentation at the bank by a person resembling the accused was altered to £15 15s. During the proceedings in the lower.Court the Justices called the clerk (who was the local'constable) ■..into a private room, arid, the accused and another man, 'who had been taking the depoKitions, were left in the Court along with the documents relating to tho prosecution. Whiie Mr. Ear toil turned Jiis back to close the door the forged cheque forming the basis of the charge disappeared, and it was assumed had been swallowed by the accused, as no_ js traco was found of it. The jury disagreed, and a new trial was ordered.