SECRETARY’S DEFALCATIONS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3010, 13 March 1926, Page 2

SECRETARY’S DEFALCATIONS

COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE.

Following two remands, James Hanry Alfred Redder, clerk, appeared at the Palmerston North Police Court yesterday before Messrs \V. McKenzie and J. Mowlem, J.’sP., charged that on or about October S), 1025 at Shannon and on divers dales from then until February 3, 1020, he did commit the theft of certain sums of money totalling £49/11/7, the property of the Miranui Co-operative Society.

In outlining the case, Senior-De-tective Quirke, stated that accused was at the time of the alleged theft, secretary of the Miranui Cooperative Society and in February last he had disappeared. An examination of the books found that there was a deficiency. - Evidence was given by Stephen Thomas Eagle, chairman of the society, to the effect that the body consisted of llaxmill workers only. Accused was appointed secretary and store-keeper in July last at a salary of £6 a week and found, lie having the handling of all cash and accounts and was responsible for their being correct. Witness received a complaint and became suspicious so lie had the books audited. On February 18th, witness received a telegram from accused, handed in at Weraroa, which stated that accused would be returning the following morning, but witness had not seen accused until he appeared in court.

Roy William Priest, public accountant, stated that he had audited the books of the society, and had found on examination a total deficiency of about £IBO from January 1925, to January last. In March, witness had an interview with accused at the Police station regarding this “deliciency and Redder admitted the theft of. moneys amounting to £49/11/7. He denied -the balance of the deficits.

Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court, Wellington for sentence.