BANK CLERK ARRESTED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1081, 21 March 1911, Page 4

BANK CLERK ARRESTED.

CHARGE OF STEALING. (By Telegraph.—Spccia! Correspondents Auckland, March 20. Thomas M'Donald, clerk in the seiy vice of the Bank of Now Zealand, formerly of Balclutlia, has been arrested oil tho bauk premises oil a charge of having stolen the sum of JC2S 1-ts. 3d., tho moneys of tho bank. M'j'jonald camo beforo Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., in tho Police Court this morning. Ho is Eaid to bo 31 years of age. Chief-Detective Mare'ack asked for a remand for a weeHi and he also advanced such reasons in opposing the request for bail as to liersuade his Worship not to grant it in the meantime. Accused was therefore remanded in custody, but his Worship promised to consider tho question of tho advisability or otherwise of granting bail later in the week. Tho facts upon which the prosecution is based are, it is alleged, supported by a statement made by accused, committed to writing, certified by him as correct,' and signed by him. In conscience of certain ascertained irregularities, a

search-warrant was applied for relating to the accused man's room at tho hotel where he lodges. The warrant was executed by Chief-Detective Marsack and Detective Ilollis on Thursday last, when, it is alleged, a bundle of bank vouchers and paid cheques w t as found among the accused's belongings. M'Donald was not arrested at oncc.'bnt further investigation was made by (lie bank officials and tho police, whiel'i inquiry, it is stated, discovered a shortage, or a discrepancy in one account of some .£25, In conscquence of this' M'Donald was .arrested on Saturday afternoon. It is alleged, and accused admits, that he received from R. D. Burgee, a storekeeper at Kuaolunn, a registered _ letter containing cash and a cheque which lie wished to have placed to his account. Accused, who was at that timo acting as correspondence clerk in the bank, opened the letter, which lie 'no doubt was expected to do in the course of his duties, and, it is slated, took the money out of it, lie returned a receipt to Mr. Burges#, but the money he is alleged to have converted to his own usa.