The Express.
London, England, 1858-11-12 00:00:00

THE POBGERIAS AT WIGAN.

Wednesday being appointed for the third ap-
praisal, of John Pollard before the magistrates, on chimes
of forging scrip to the amount of about 2,00 W., during the
time he was secretary to the Wigan Benefit Building Society,
the Public Hall was crowded with people anxious to hear the
proceedings. Mr. Hilton, 'elicitor, appeared for the Kemp
suttee, and Mr. Marshall defended the prisoner. Mr. Ralph
Leigh, solicitor to the association, was In attendance. Mr.
Hilton opened the ones by stating that Mr. Pollard had been
in receipt of money belong to the members of the Wigan
Buildiag Society, and when any of them wished to withdraw
Mr. Pollard's duty was to inform the treasurer and draw the
money. It frequently hammed that cheques were given to
Mr. Pollard to hand over to the parties who wished to with-
draw. Mr. Hilton bad no lees than 24 such case., bat he
thought it would only be necessary to gas into one or two, in
order to substantiate the cheeps. He would put in • docu-
ment said to be signed by a person named Bert, on
which Mr. Pollard received 1381. This receipt would be
proved In evidence. When the affair broke out, Mr. Pollard
gave up the key of the, ask—the documents were found, and
the whole business was manlitsse. William Lea, of Chapel-
lane, was than celled and said ha was a member of the Wigan
Unita Benefit Budding Society, of which he was treasurer
for ite commencement. Mx years and aktalf ago. Mr. Pollard
was the secretary from the commencement. On the 27th 1:ido-
ls:elm west to Mr. Pollard's and inquired for him; be ems not
there. Waited an hour. The safe belonging to the society
was hope at hi. shop. It contained the books and paper of
the society. Pollard kept the key. After waiting an hour
witness assisted in removing the safe ; took it to the shop
Mr. Smith, presideut of the society. The key was
after-
wards brnoght, and the safe opened. The key wee brought
by Mr. Manful', solicitor. A partial examination of theemia-
tents was made, and the safe wee swain locked, the key bag
given to Mr. Smith. In Jule last wittiess was called upon
by Pollard about Thomas Hatt withdrawing his three
shares, amounting to 1381, and be asked witness to sign
the cheque, as Thomas Hart woe going to cell at him shop
for it. The cheque was on Mews. Woodcock's bank. The
cheque was then peodused and identified by the wither.
Mr. Smith, t of the society, detailed an interview
which he with Pollard on the 28th October. when Pol-
lard agreed to give up the books nu the following morning,
which were obtained with some difficulty. The books were
examthed, axed two scrip cards were found, marked 301 and
802, with • receipt, purporting to be signed by Thomas Hart
on the 7th July, 1868. Iteoripte of that description ought to
be kept by the secretary, and it was his duty to produce them
before the oommittee.—Thomas Hart wee then tolled, and
said he was • carder. Produced hie three scrip cords for
shares 300, 301, sad 302; reorired then la 1852., whew the
club started, and has had them ever slaw. The nodes sad
the receipt produced, signal Thomas Hi" were not la his
handwriting, end he rover authorised any puma to alga 11
for him. Had not received 1381. purporting to have been
*doe that receipt. The scrip cards which sooompsay the
reoaipt had never been in his possession, but the snip cards
which he produced were those which he at fiat remind.—
Mr. Hilton said this was the case for the Prosecutioe.-14r.
Marshall said that the prisoner would TWINS hie &demos.—
The prisoner yes than committed on this charge.