MANAGER ON TRIAL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 25, 22 October 1937, Page 5

MANAGER ON TRIAL

-Pres» ABSociation.)

Alleged Theft of £2550

(Bt Teleeraph-

PALMERSTON N., This Day. Charges of the theft of mpney totalling £2550 over a period of nearly four years were. preferred against Godfrey Halse, aged 40, company manager, in the Magistrate's Court this morning. The charges were: The theft of £100 from Arthur Sheltoa in July, 1936; £100 from Shelton in the same month; £300 from Henry Geqrge Tqcker iu Novembe^ 1933; £1300 from Mrs Effie Hamilton in October, 1935; £100 from Mrs Hamilton in January, 1936; £300 from Grace Berry in May, 1935; and £350 from Clement Lawson in May, 1934. Evidcuco was given by Shelton, a retired Civii servant. He said he was a close friend of accused who, at that time, was manager of the A.M.P. Society, Palmerston North. In Junc, 1936, witness Teceived thrOugh the society a cheque for £500. Accused told witness that a client of the society had applied for a loan but the sdcurity offered - was ndt of such nature as the society handl6d. Accused Baid that the security was the aurrender value of a lif » insurance policy, also a lien on stock op. the client 's farm. Accused assured witness that there was ample coverago for a loan of £100 and he unaertook personally to verify the necuriti.es. Accused later said that there. was no jisk in the investment. Witness handed over £100 and suggested taking charge of the securities, but accused said that the matter was confidential and^ that the securities were held in tho society 's etrongroom. A fortnight later accused advised witness to place another £100 undor similar conditions. Witness agreed. Three lots of interest were paid to witness, who knew that the mon6y was not being handed over to the society but to the accused. Under the impression that the latter, in the capacity of manager, was expected to accommodatp tho society 'a client. (Proceeding.)