A Trip Spoilt.

Manawatu Herald, 17 June 1893, Page 2

A Trip Spoilt.

The Press Association on Wednesday wired to Wellington, " The acoountant of one cf the local insurance offices has levanted leaving heavy defalcations. A warrant has been issued for his arrest." The evening previous, according to the Wellington Press, while the Court was sitting late, Inspector Pender received a telegram from Inspector Pardy in Dunedin to the effect that one of the clerks (namely James Dawson) of the New Zealand Insurance Company, had embezzled, and suddenly disappeared with, a sum of £500, which he had drawn from the bank. The telegram gave a slight description of the man, and concluded by asking the police to keep a sharp look out, as the accused would, no doubt, attempt to leave the colony. Inspeofcor Pender immediately placed Chief-Detective Campbell in charge of the case, and that officer lost no time in proceeding to run his man to earth. He started upon the casa about 9 30 p.m. on Tuesday night and at 7 o'clock on Wednesday morning the accused was in custody. The detective first of all made a point of finding out what vessels were leaving Wellington and in the course of his inquiries, he was told that the ship Canterbury was to have sailed for New York on Tuesday morning, but the wind being unfavourable her departure had been put off until Wednesday morning. Detective Campbell followed up this information and found that there was one passenger booked by the Canterbury in the name of James Duncan, and thinking the latter might be the man wanted, he determined to board the ship about; daylight. He got up early on Wednesday morning, and

upon proceeding to the ship was informed by the steward that " the only passenger " was in bed. The detective asked to be shown to his berth, and upon getting there woke the man up. When told of the charge Dawson became very indignant and asserted that his name was Dunpan, and that he could not possibly be the man. In addition he threatened all sorts of pains and penalties if the police interfered with him. The detective, however, said he would take all responsibility, and to further strengthen his case, pretended " that he lmew the prisoner well in Dunedin, and that he had better come along." Upon hearing this, Dawson changed his tactics, got up, dressed, and went quietly, at the same time remarking, " Just my bad luck ; the ship was to have sailed yesterday, but the' d wind was against her." Upon arrival at the Police Station an examination was made and the prisoner exactly tallied with the description in the telegram. On the accused was found some £50 in gojd and a ticket for New York, for which a sum of £36 15s had been paid. After locking up his man the detective, from information gained, again proceeded to the ship and in the berth previously occupied by the accused succeeded iu unearthing a draft for 480 dollars on the Bank of, California at San Francisco. No' other money could be found however. Captain Culbert and the steward gave the detective every assistance. The vessel sails for New York as soon as the wind is favourable. Prisoner was brought up at the R.M. Court on Wednesday morning before Messrs A. A. Barnett and W. Littlejohn, J.'sß, and formally charged with embezzling £500 the property of the New Zealand Insurance Company at Dunedin. Inspector Pender asked that prisoner be remanded to Dunedin. Detective Campbell having given evidence, the prisoner is to appear at Dunedin on .June 21st. Mr Coates, who appeared for prisoner, applied for bail. Inspector Pender, however, objected to this, and the Bench refused to grant the request.