FORGING AND UTTERING

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1933, Page 9

FORGING AND UTTERING

PLEA OF GUILTY AT HAWERA. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. Pleading guilty to charges of forging and uttering Thomas Henry Ferguson Lee was committed for sentence to the Supreme Court at Wellington by justices of the peace at Hawera yesterday. Messrs. G. H. Burgess and F. S. Tarrant presided. The charges alleged that on March 2 at Hawera Lee forged a cheque for £5 Bs. 6d., purporting to be signed by T. A. Winks, with the intention it should be acted upon as genuine, and on March 2 af Hawera he caused R. D. Linton to act upon a cheque for £5 Bs. 6d., purporting to be signed by T. A. Winks, knowing it to be forged, as if it were genuine. Accused, who was not represented by counsel, did not cross examine any of the witnesses. Sergeant T. I. McGregor conducted the police case. Frederick H. Ollerenshaw, tea-rooms proprietor, said he recognised accused, who called at witness’ premises in Hawera on either March 2 or 3. Lee asked for a cheque form. Witness hesitated, but thinking he knew Lee, who had been into the shop a number of times in the last few years, thought it would be all right. He told Lee he banked with the Commercial Bank, and Lee said he would change it to the Bank of New Zealand. The cheque produced was the one he gave Lee, who signed the butt “H. K. Evans.” Witness produced the butt Witness did not know Lee’s name, and took it that it was Evans. Robert D. Linton, a Hawera fruiterer, said he knew accused by sight. On March 2 he called at the shop, purchasing some fruit. He handed over a cheque, which was the one exhibited, asking if Linton could change it. There was not quite enough cash in the till. Lee said he knew Linton’s father very well, and was an old customer' of the shop where Linton'senior was employed. Because of this witness decided to change the cheque as he knew accused by sight. Linton gave Lee £3 Bs. 6d., the latter -paying he would call for the balance on Saturday. The cheque was returned by the bank marked “no account.” Linton at the time thought the cheque was genuine. - Thomas A. Winks, farmer at Ararata, said the cheque exhibit was not his. He had not filled it in or signed it, nor had he given accused authority to do so. He had no account with the Commercial Bank. He had known accused as a lad, but he had grown out of all recognition. Constable Frank Lemm gave evidence of his interview with accused at the police station. After being shown the cheque Lee frankly admitted the writing was his. After being warned he made a statement. In this he said he arrived in Hawera about March 2, getting the cheque from Ollerenshaw. He filled it in at the tea rooms and cashed it at a fruit shop. He spent the money in drink. He knew T. A. Winks was well known in Hawera. This concluded the police case, and Lee entered a plea of guilty. « ALTON ELECTRIC LIGHT BALL. BRILLIANT SUCCESS ACHIEVED?" Success crowned the efforts of the committee responsible for the “switching-oh ceremony” at the electric light ball in the Alton Hall on Tuesday. Over 300 attended the function, including Mr. J. B. Murdock, chairman of the South Taranaki 'Power Board, several board members and the engineer, Mr. T. R. Overton. There were dancers from the Whenuakura, Manaia and Okaiawa districts. The hall presented a dazzling effect with coloured lights outside and across the road. Inside the effect was even more, brilliant with green and pink streamers intermingled with coloured lights. Mr. H. Sutherland, chairman of the hall committee prior to the turning-on ceremony, outlined the efforts of the Alton district and extended a welcome to all. He was pleased to have on theplatform Mr. Murdock and members of the . board, the engineer, and Mr. James Gibbs, the oldest pioneer of the Alton district. The switching-on of the lights was performed by Mr. Gibbs, of the heating apparatus by another old resident, Mrs. Wilson, of the iron by Miss Lita Sutherland, of the fan by little Miss Boy Davies and of the motor by Mr. A. Amon. The following rendered items during the evening: Songs, Mrs. and Miss Masters; song, Mrs. G.. Corbett; song, Miss O. Adams; cong, Mrs. Carey; songs, Messrs. J. Crawford and A. Illingworth; recitation, Mr. W. Watts. The success of the function was due largely to the committees and its assistants. A large share of the work devolved upon Mr. Sutherland and the secretary, Mr. R. L. Davies. The committee responsible for the supper arrangements coSisisted of Mesdames H. Sutherland, F. Nickel, T. Hunt and F. Amon. The committee was Mr. H. Sutherland, F. Nichol, S. Hunt, F. Amon, Bert Leigh and R. L. Davies. Dance music was played by Wills’ Melody-makers’ orchestra, with extras by Mr. Owen Price. The master of ceremonies was Mr. S. Hunt, HAWERA OPERA HOUSE. "SUNSHINE SUSIE” TO-DAY, "Sunshine Susie,” the Ideal-Gains-borough super spectacle, will be presented at the Hawera Opera House this afternoon, where it will commence a season of four nights. Entertainment in talkies is an unknown factor to everybody until seeing this scintillating photoplay, with all its bright, sparkling songs, snappy acting and clever dialogue. Britain’s new personality star, Renate Muller, occupies the starring role with all the vivacity that seems to be a spontaneous brand of her very own. From the opening shots, she. dances her way through the film, handing out happiness whenever she smiles. Jack Hulbert who also will be presented to’ the Opera House patrons for the first time, is a brilliant patter comedian and eccentric dancer. His irresponsible humour points him out as being Britain’s king of comedy. The star value of this film does not cease here, as Owen Nares, who, with his previous productions, has. risen to eminence in British filmdom, also has a most prominent role. The settings of the film lie in Vienna, and many bright and sparkling interludes are supplied by novelty acts in the world-famed Viennese "biergartens.” One r.f the most unusual yet entertaining highlights of the production is contained in the "Typists’ Chorus. The star sings the refrain of the theme song, “To-day I Feel So Happy,” and as the music gradually dies away, about 70 typists congregated in the room tap the chorus in perfect time on their typewriters. The box plans for the season are at Miss Blake’s and a big demand iox reserves is being made-