Charges against J. Craig.

Manawatu Herald, 2 June 1898, Page 2

Charges against J. Craig.

— »"•» — After many days patient inquiry at the Wellington Magistrate's Court into the charges of theft preferred against John Craig, involving £850, the moneys of James Smith and Co., of Te Aro House. Mr Kenny S.M. committed the accused for trial, bail being allowed as before. In coming to this conclusion said Mr Kenny : — I am of opinion that there is no reason for me to go at any length— it would be inadvisable to do so — in this case, because if I did so I might have to make remarks which would tend to cause some degree of doubt as to tht honesty and bona fide* of a person or persons which are not before the Court as accused individuals, and one might unwittingly do these persons a real injustice. I shall make only two remarks. First, that, as attorney for Mr Carter, Craig could have had no possible authority for drawing and paying himself the moneys alluded to, and that excuse cannot serve him. Secondly, as Craig, the oreditor of Smith and Co., and also the accountant, I think section 220 of the Code meets the case ; that is to say, that if a man relies upon bis relation of debtor and creditor between himself and the person who employs him and money comes into his hands which he appropriates he must make proper entries of finch acts to free himself from a oriminal charge, if not from civil liability. It seems that these observation* meet the defence attempted to be put up on the present occasion — admitting that the large sums said to be due to Craig are due.