EMBEZZLEMENT BY A TOWN CLERK.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14978, 21 May 1914, Page 10

EMBEZZLEMENT BY A TOWN CLERK.

On ess association , telegram ) PALMXESTON N.. May 20 . Iv the Supremo Court to-day," before the Chief Justice, George Sutherland Into town clerk of'Taihape, was charged that on or about' April Mth, 1913 °at Taihape, he did steal the sum of £11 from his omployors; that on April 14th 1913, with intent to defraud, ho omifc! tod material particulars from the books of the said corporation, to wit, to make an entry in such books crediting Alfred William Bicknell, with hat-ing paid, on behalf of tho corporation, the sum of £14; that on or about May 3rd, 1913 ho did steal X'o Is 10d from 'the corporation ; that on tho same date, with intent to defraud, ho omitted to make an ontry in the corporation's books, crediting on© David Wilkie with having paid to him, on behalf of the corporation, the- sum of £5 Is 10d ; that on or about May 3rd. 1913, he did steal £11 from the corporation ; that on the same- date with intent to defraud, he did omit"to make an entry in the corporation's books crediting the Manawatu Timber Co., Ltd., with having paid to him. on behalf of the corporation, the sum of £11 ;.that on divers dates between February 6th, 1913, "and January 30th, 1914, he did steal the sum of £352 18s od from tho said corporation.

Accused stated that he had been town clerk since 1906, and during the last two years had been in receipt of a salary of £300 per annum. He had all the work of the office to transact. The work had greatly increased of late. In addition to his office duties he was supervising engineer of several borough works, returning officer, and he also prepared the. electoral rolls. Hβ was three parts of his time out of the office. Hβ had asked the Council twice for assistance, and had been refused. He knew on one occasion that the books did not balance within £70, and he borrowed £50 to "make up the deficiency. His books were behind* as he could not give them proper. attention. He frequently received money in the ■'street, but could r> VG no reason as to what caused the deficiency. " He did not compare the receipts witih.the amounts. Hβ had at various, times paid money out'of his own pocket to make up deficiencies.

His . Honour summed up strongly against the accused, and the jury returned a verdict of cuiltysou 1 to 6, and not guilty on the seventh, count. Prisoner will' be sentenced in the morning. ...