THEFI OF £1153.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1923, Page 2

THEFI OF £1153.

ACCOUNTANT PLEADS GUILTY. [»Y TELEGRAPH— per PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, May 30. At the Magistrate’s Court te-day, Ernest William McCardcll, accountant to the District Office of the Repatriation Department, was charged with the theft of £1133, and nineteen charges of forgery of Treasury voueh-

The police state that lie made applications for loans for furniture, alleged to have been supplied to returned soldiers, and when granted by the Board, accused drew up the vouchers, and issued cheques, the cheques being cashed hv himself. In most instances fictitious names were used, but In some instances the names of genuine soldiers. Several of the latter gave evidence that they had not made applications for loans. The Audit Inspector gave evidence that the accused had written admitting having converted the money to his own use. Accused gave evidence stating that he had destroyed the files in connection with the applications. He had satisfied the Board that they were genuine applications. He did not appear before the Board, lint handed the applications to an official, whom he told that ho had seen the applicants, and they were all right. It was possible to have a cheque drawn and cashed before the loan was granted or even considered. “This is a lovely office,” said the Magistrate. Accused said that the £IOOO had gone on racehorses. He pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.