DUNEDIN SENSATION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2567, 15 September 1915, Page 3

DUNEDIN SENSATION

BUSINESS MAN ARRESTED BAIL REFUSED ' (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, September 14. In tho City Police Court this morning Robert Sproule Menzies, a member of the City Council, who has had cliargo of the insurance department of . Neill and Co., and who was arrested yesterday, was brought- before Mr. Widdowson,', S.M.j charged with, that on July 6 he did commit theft-, laving received £236 12s. 10d. ; from Neill and Co. on term 3 requiring him to pay the same to the Royal Assurance Co. of London, at Dunedin, and did fraudulently convert the same to' his own use.

Sub-Inspector Broberg said this was only , one of a number of somewhat similar charges to be preferred against accused. He asked for a remand till Monday , and said another remand would probably be required. ' Mr.; Hay, (for accused) said, he had no objection to the remand. . When the question of bail was raised Tiy the Magistrate. Sub-Inspector 'Broberg handed up a letter written by. accused, which tho Magistrate read. . . ..Mr. Hay: T; think, I-should ask. you to fix bail. Tho maniis.iii the position that he has certain .arrangements. to_ make in connection -with- his; properties. His Worship (handling, the letter): la the circumstances, ,is -bail- advisable? Mr. Hay: Accused tells me tho.letter was' written a fortnight;'ago, and I am . iisposed to- think,seeing. that this charge has been pending against accused for : at least a month to his knowledge, that had there: been any real • serious intent'in the (statements in the jetter he would have had an opportunity, of doing things, of that nature, and the fact; that nothing; lias occurred in- . dicates ; that it is merely talk.

Sub-Inspector Broberg said that as the charge stood at th'e-present he was not .sure if it was .not discretionary with !Uhe Court whether bail was granted or not. "I,,am Id getover the difficulty, however, bynrertaririg a charge tinder which accused would have no right:'to bail. . Accused, not only for some days, but for some weeks,' has been under a very heavy mental strain and'l think it. would bo'better if accused has the right to bail, on this parItioular charge, that the application should be/withdrawn.' Lcould get over the difficulty by preferring a charge under which ho' would have no right to hail.; Perhaps, if _ Mr.' Hay takes that view, the application oould be renewed .on the next appearance of the. accused."

Mr. Hay said tie man-had had.this matter over his head for the last month' and he.knew,..between half-past 12 o'clock; yesterday and the time of his aTTest, about 4 o!clock, that thci warrant was beinn; issued.for his arrest. He was a married man with a wife and child and his reputation up to this event,'' had been pood, at the 3nme time it was'a matter for His Worship." His Worship: I think, in accused's own interests, bail should not bo allowed. Bail will be refused and accused ramanded until Monday.