A MANAGER CHARGED WITH FORGERY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7014, 1 February 1901, Page 5

A MANAGER CHARGED WITH FORGERY.

■ r - ♦ — CASE AGAINST AN INSURANCE OFFICER. [Peb Press Association.] . WELLINGTON, Feb. 1. Walter M. PhdiMps, fommerly general manager on New Zealand for tfhe Imperial Insurance Company -was charged at tie Magistrate's Oaurt/fco-day -with Rawing stolen £405 Is, belonging to uhe Company , and also with having forged tihe signature of W. J. WilIrins to a receipt for £405, and to a proposal for an insurance. . Evidence showed that the accused had submitted, in his own handwriting, a- proposal of insurance on, a, property in Aimagh) Streefc, Christohurohi, purporting to be owned by Wilkfais, -who -was represented as an illiterate Wellington settler, -who had to eign by his mark. Subsequently he forwarded to Melbourne thte -usual papers pertaining to the claim on the toss of the property, andi the mon i cy was paid. The higher authorities of the company found that no such property existed. The accused, on being challenged, adtoiitted that the claim was "bogus,'' but said that the money had mot gone onto hiis pocket, but had been used in settling outstanding balances fjba* existed when he took charge of the office. At the close of the «ase for the prosecution Phillips pleaded guilty, and was remanded to the Supreme Court for sentence.