HUGE EMBEZZLEMENT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 811, 7 May 1910, Page 5

HUGE EMBEZZLEMENT.

"MONEY GONE TO BOOKMAKERS." (By TelecraDn.—Press Association.! Auckland, May 6. George Bater appeared at the Police Court to answer a charge of having received the sum (in all) of £3563 14s. lid. on terms requiring him to account for samo to Messrs. Sharland and Co., Ltd., between February 1 and April 16 last. Mr. Blomfield, who ; appeared for tho accused, said that ho proposed to plead "guilty." ■ ■ ,_ _ : • Mr. Marsaek said that prisoner had been employed as assistant accountant by Messrs. Sharland and Co., Ltd., wholesale chemists, for some four or five years, and, acting in that capacity, certain moneys would pass through his hands, which he was expected to account for to' the firm. An examination of tho accounts had shown that a very large sum had not been so accounted for, and Bator had admitted that' he had used it for his own purposes. Albert Waterworth, accountant . for tho firm, said that prisoner's business was to keep the books, and pay suclv moneys &s he received into the bank at stated periods. On April 14 witness found an entry hi the books which ho could.not recognise, and which was not correct. . Then, together with Bator, ho made a general examination of tho books, and .went through the list of accounts owing to the firm, arid in doing so, found several incorrect accounts entered. When Bator was questioned about tho matter, ho admitted that they wero false entries made to cover his defalcations for somo time previously and the payments which the entries alleged had been made to tho bank had not been made. Prisoner then mado a clean brea-st of the wholo affair.

In cross-examination witness stated tliat Bater could have absconded had he chosen, for lie liad recently spent his holidays in Sydney. • Detective Scott, who made the arTcst, said tihat the prisoner had niaclo no attempt at concealment. Ifo said that tho money which ho had embezzled had gone to tho bookmakers. What .money Bator had in his possession was handed to his employers. Accused was comnvittod for sentence.