DARING FORGERIES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14203, 4 February 1915, Page 6

DARING FORGERIES.

EXPLOITS OF YOUNG MAN

The rather daring exploits in Wellington last month of one Charles Hector Dudley, a young man, occupied the attention of Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court at Wellington yesterday. Accused pleaded guilty. On January 16th, accused engaged a taxi-car for some time, and was uuable to pay his way. The driver thereupon took him to the owner, .Alexander Waddle. Dudley was not very concerned at this. He said he owned a big orchard in the Nelson district, and applied for a blank cheque, which he filled in for £5 10s, drawing the same on the Bank of New Zealand, Motueka. It was signed "Guy H. Williams," but was subsequently returned marked "no

account." Accused had failed in his endeavour to cash the cheque locally. Next he went to Mr J. E. Fitzgorald's, on Lambton Quay, and opened up negotiations for tho purchase of a car valued at £650, still representing himself as a prosperous fruit grower. All tho necessary papers were signed, and when accused was asked for a 25 per cent deposit ho was not in the least dismayed. Ho applied for a blank cheque, which ho filled in for £150, again signing tho namo of '' Guy H. Williams. " Ho then produced another chequo for £10, and asked that it bo cashed, but the accountant was unable to comply with tho request. Nothing moro was heard from Dudloy in referenco to the car. Dudley then left motor cars alono, took up sheep farming (in his mind), and commenced to Wass i. storo of furniture and clothing. His first visit in this connection was to Radcliffo and Go. 's, Willis Streot. Ho told tho salesman there that ho had sold his station at Hastings, and had just settled in the Wairarapa. Ho solected largo quantities of furnishings, valued at £59 3s, uttering choqucs for £37, £23 3s, aud £7 lis. On ono transaction ho received £3 change in money. Further, ho loft a signed blank chequo to be filled in after his wife had-made purchases, and his instructions were that all goods should be forwarded to Masterton at tho samo timo. His wifo nevor appeared.

The subsequent exploits concorned clothing for himself and "wife." Ho visited a shop in Cotirtonay Place and selected a quantity of underclothing, uttering a cheque for £3 8s 9d. Tho goods were to bo forwarded to tho Empire Hotel, where his "wifo" was alleged to bo staying. He was measured for a tweed suit and a dress suit at the Union Clothing Co., and in addition purchased other goods, which were to be sent to the Empire Hotel. As tho name "Guy Williams" was well known to tho manager a cheque (in favour of E. W. Mills and Co.) for £20 was signed and accepted, and £8 18s 7d given as change. Finally, he made a call at Hood Bros, on Lambton Quay, to purchase some ladies' underclothing, making tho request that ho bo served by ladies. Goods valued at £2 14s 3d were selected, for which accused uttered a cheque for £10 13s 6d, drawn on ' tho Bank of New Zoaland at Masterton, and signed "H. 11. Beetham." He received change in' money, as Mr Hood knew Mr Beetham well; but the bank returned the chequo marked '' no account. " Not long after, Dudloy was arrested by Dotective Cameron on the Waimate, just before that vessel left Wllington. He had joined as a trimmer.

Guy Coldham Williams and Hugh 11. Beetham stated that none of the signatures were theirs. Mr Beetham said ho knew accused, who had worked for him some time ago.

Accused was committed to tho Sup reme Court for sentence.