£5OOO EMBEZZLED

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1927, Page 2

£SOOO EMBEZZLED

CLERK COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. [ISY TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Nov. 9. Fear of dismissal because of the disappearance of substantial sums of money while he was in charge of the office, and embezzlement to hide the deficiency by heavy betting on lioise races, in a frantic effort to retrieve the position, and then further defalcations, extending over a period of years, these were reasons . which Harry Stephen Liversage, a clerk, aged 35, gave for his appearance in Court today on a charge of having stolen nearly £SOOO from Joseph Nathan Co. The total amount involved was £4POI Os Id, which disappeared between June 1921 and the end of this month. It was stated that accused had joined the firm as a boy*, and had been casliiei since 1919. In that capacity, £50.000 a month, or more, went through his hands in cheques.

The auditor said the cheques were banked when received, but not entered until later, so as to cover up the defalcations.

Tho police evidence was that Liversage admitted lie had been using the firm’s money for seven years. He had made a statement in which lie said that, seven years ago, two sums of £225 and £215 disappeared between tlm time of receipt in the office, and when they should have been hanked. Fearing he would lose his place, lie held the other cheques to cover these amounts, and then started betting, in the hope of recovering the money lost. This went on till more and more had disappeared. He had never betted before. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence. No hail was asked for.