CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday, Aco. 10. (Before C. C. Bowen, Esq., R.M., E. Jollie, and F. Courage, Esqrs.) Forgery and* Uttering.—John Edward Taylor, alias Thompson, who appeared in the dock for the ‘thirteenth time, was charged with having committed this offence. The following evidence was taken —Harry Feast: I am a detective in the Christchurch police force. 1 arrested prisoner in bed at the Central Hotel this morning. I charged him with having forged a cheque, purporting to be signed by Mr W. Turner, merchant, and subsequently uttering it to John Flank, • f the Britannia Hotel. Prisoner said he had been trying hard to get work, and forged the cheque so that, if they could not find him in employment, they must keep him in gaol. He said he had tried to get a cheque on the Bank of New Zealand, but the man who sup* plied him had not one for that Bank. I received the cheque produced from Mr >Plank. I presented it at the Union Bank of Australia, but it was not cashed. John Plank ; 1 keep the Britannia Hotel, Whately Road. Prisoner came to my house between four and five o’clock, yesterday. He asked me to cash a cheque, showing the one pro duced, and saying that he was going to stop at my house for a week or fortnight. I re fused to cash the cheque, when he said it was all right, and was one of Mr Turner’s. 1 said, “ Mr Turner up the road ?” and he said, “ Yes,” that he had been working there. Pri soner had his tea, and afterwards he got ten shillings from me on account. After giving me the cheque, he went away, and did not re turn. Charles Wesley Turners lama mer chant in Christchurch, and reside on the Papanui Road. The signature to the cheque produced is not in my handwriting. I know nothing about the cheque. The prisoner called on me some weeks ago to beg. He said he had just come out of gaol, and be wanted to be honest. I gave him a few shil lings to pay his way up country. The pri soner, after being cautioned by his Worship

in the uioal manner, *aid he would re»er»e hia. defence, and' was accordingly committed trial at the next session of l the Supreme' Court. \ | emu cases.
