ALLEGED FORCERY.

Waipa Post, Volume II, Issue 78, 19 January 1912, Page 3

ALLEGED FORCERY.

At the Magistrate's Court on Wednesday at Wellington before Dr. A. M'Arthur, Granville Hunt, alias W. Hume-Jones, was charged with forging two promissory notes —one for £142 8s rod., and the other for £156 7s 9d. —at V ellington on July 29. It

was alleged that these purported to be cigned by W. H. Nash, and that they were tendered to Wright, Stephenson and Co. Accused, represented by Mr T.

W. liislop. Thomas Gray, Wellington manager for Wright, Stephenson

and Co., stated that one of the directors of the firm (Mr. J. A. Johnstone) held power of attorney for William Walker, Ltd., leather merchants and manufacturing tanners of Whitehaven, England. Wright, Stephenson and Co, collected money in New Zealanl for Walker's, and the accused

Hunt also had dealings with them. Indents for leather were sen!: Home by accused, and these orders were executed by the manufacturers, and the invoices sent to Hunt, who was responsible for payment. The bills of lading usually went to Mr Johnstone. In the course of busness these documents were handed over to Hunt, and he dealt with the leather —that is, he saw that it

was delivered to the various buyers to whom he had sold it, and Wright, Stephenson and Co. collected the money from Hunt on behalf of Walker's. In July, 1910, Hunt was indebted to Walker's to the extent of something like £BOO. On or about July 29 witness interviewed Hunt at his residence, Kelbnrne Parade in connection with the debt. As

far as witness could now remember he told Hunt that he wanted something on that day, and Hunt promised to let him have some bills from Mr Nash, leather merchant, Wellington, as part payment of Walker's account. He knew at the time that Hunt did considerable business with Mr Nash, and the hitter's bills had previously been accepted for a similar purpose. In the course of the interview Hunt also stated that he would obtain some bills and post them that evening, and he specially asked that the bills should not be discounted—they should be held until they matured. A similar frequest had been made in previous cases. Next day his firm received through the post two bills —one for £142 8s iod, and one for £159 7s 9cl —each bearing the signa-

ture of "W. H. Nash." The envelope containing the bills had been addressed by Hunt, and the endorsement was Hunt's; also, in his opinion, the handwriting in the bodies of the bills was Hunt's. Subsequently the firm became aware that there was something" wrong with the bills. To Mr Hislop: The signature "W. H. Nash "on the bills was very like Mr Nash's signature. Charles Stuart Black, accountant for Wright, Stephenson and Company, deposed that his firm had pressed Hunt for payment of the debt of between £BOO and £990. William Henry Nash, leather and grindery merchant, of 19

Parish Street and 12s Cuba Street, Wellington, stated that his acquaintance with Hunt covered a period o" about six years. He had not given the two promissory notes produced. Detective Andrews stated that, on August 6, 1910, a warrant was issued for Hunt's arrest, and this was effected at Kihi Kihi on December 19, 1911. He charged Hunt respecting the alleged forgeries, but Hunt made no reply. Hunt pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.