THEFT OF Y.W.C.A. FUNDS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 154, 25 March 1920, Page 6

THEFT OF Y.W.C.A. FUNDS

ACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday Kathleen Blianore Morton, for whom Mr. H. F. O'Lcarv appenred, was charged that between "October 27, 1919, and January 23, 1920, she committed the theft of several sunn of money amounting to .£343 25., the property of the Y.W.C.A. There was a second charge o! stealing ,£24, but -this was withdrawn. Mr. O'Leary stated that when the evidence for the prosecution had concluded, the accused intended to plead guilty. It was therefore only necessary to prove a prima facie case. Mary Kate Lawson, acting honorary pene'al secretary and treasurer of tho Y.W.C.A., said the accused entered the service on October 28, 1919, as olhce clerk, and 'her duties included receiving and accounting for moneys. The bank deposit slips would be made out by accused. On December 23 last she went on holidav, and resumed her duties on January G. On January 27 she informed witness that she was not well, and was told to.so home and to return on Saturday. 'She did not come back at all. During the time accused was on holiday witness went ■ through ' the—books. On Saturday, February 7, witness learned that there were some irregularities in tho books, and a special examination was made and a statement prepared showing the defic-'ency. Witness could not find the original bank pass-book, and discovered from tho bank that a new pass-bonk had been issued. Witness found certain bank deposit- slips in (he office safo in the 'handwriting of the accused; they were not genuine. Amounts similar to those on the bogus slips were entered in the cash book. The bank pass-book showed that the amount set out in the schedule prepared by witness were not paid into the bank. ; C. D. Morpeth, accountant and auditor, said that he was honorary auditor to "the Y.W.C.A. Some weeks ago lie examined the books of the association, and discovered discrepancies totalling JJ343 2s.

Thomas Cockcroft, ledger-keener at To Aro branch of the Bank of New Zealand, where the Y/W.C.A. kept their account, said he knew the accused as a clerk employed by' the association. She did most of the banking for the association. Some time in-January she stated that" she had lost the association's bank pass-book in Auckland, .and a new one was prepared and given' to her. Constable Joss gave formal evidence, as to escorting the prisoner back to New Zealand from Sydney, where she was arrested.

Detective-Sergeant ,Scott, who _ interviewed the accused on her arrival in Wellington, said that she examined the schedule showing 1 a deficiency, of £3& 25., and wrote across it: "I intend to plead guilty to taking the amount stated above."

The accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme. Court for sentence.

' Mr. O'Leary asked for bail, as previously, and Chief Detective Ward, ,who conducted the prosecution, agreed to this. The bail fixed was .£IOO, and one surety for a similar amount. The prisoner is to Teport to the police daily.