FARM HAND’S LAPSE.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18947, 17 May 1933, Page 6

FARM HAND’S LAPSE.

FORQERY ADMITTED.

VAIN ATTEMPT TO GET MONEY.

Charged with forging a post-office savings bank withdrawal receipt for £25 at Hamilton on October 10, Herbert Watson, aged 21 years, a farm labourer, pleaded guilty in the Hamilton Magistrate’s Court, before Dr. F. D. Pinfold and Mr J. H. Gittos, J’s.P., this morning. Detective-Sergeant J. Thompson appeared for the police and Mr A. G. Ward represented the aocused. Allen John Terry, farm-hand, of To Awamutu, stated that the accused worked on Mr Wing’s farm, Frontier Road, during October, 1932, and shared the same room as witness. One morning the accused suddenly disappeared and witness found that his post-office savings bank book was missing. He had not given the accused authority to take the book or withdraw money.

Detective-Sergeant -Thompson produced a withdrawal receipt for £25 signed “A. J. Terry.” Witness denied signing the receipt and declared it to be a forgery.

Clerk’s Suspicions Aroused.

Stanley Daniel Donnelly, clerk employed at the Post-Office Savings Bank, Hamilton, testified that on October IC, 1932, he was handed Terry’s book and, the withdrawal receipt (produced) by the accused. He found a difference in the signature in the book and that kept at the bank. He asked accused for a further specimen of his signature and the accused twice wrote “ A. ,T. Terry ” on a slip of paper. On being questioned, the accused gave information concerning the account which disagreed with tho bank’s records. Witness was dissatisfied and reported the matter; when he returned to the counter the accused had gone. Detective-Sergeant Thompson read a confession of guilt signed by the accused.

To Mr Ward, Mr Thompson said he found the accused to be quite frank. From inquiries he had made he understood that prior to the offence the accused was a man of good character.

Mr .Ward: Did the accused gain anything from iiis offence?—Nothing. It was a very clumsy attempt to obtain money. The accused pleaded guilty and was committed lo the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence.