ALLEGED THEFT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2284, 1 September 1908, Page 2

ALLEGED THEFT.

PALMERSTON SOLICITOR. ACCUSED. [Press Association.] PALMERSTON N., August 31. C. E. Harden, solicitor, was charged to-day, before Mr. A. D. Thomson, S.M., with the theft of £250 from a client. The police prosecuted, and Mr. _Cooke asked for a further remand on behalf of accused on the ground that he was physically unfit for the ordeal. Mr. Thomson refused a _ further remand, and Mr. Cooke withdrew from the case on the ground that it was impossible to do it justice under the circumstances. Doctor O’Brien gave evidence that though ill in the morning, his condition had sufficiently improved to allow the case to go on. A large amount of evidence was taken, the most important witness being Hughes, accountant of the Bank of Australasia, who produced entries showtngjhat only £1 14s lOd was in trust' account prior to paying in the £250, and a cheque for £IOO was drawn against that. Several other debit entries were also shown, and the credit balance of aocouut on the 30th of July last when transactions ceased was 14s. Accused was committed for triaT at the Supreme Court, and while reserving his defence, made a lengthy statement in which he stated that his books and affairs had not been looked after owing to illness and continual absence from town./ “It was a considerable shock,” said lie, "when I went to the hank and discovered my position.” He also laid stress-on the fact that he had made no attempt to shirk liis respoiisihilty.