YOUNG WOMAN’S THEFT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3644, 28 May 1927, Page 4

YOUNG WOMAN’S THEFT.

DRAPERY FIRM’S FUNDS

“SPENT MONEY FOOLISHLY.”

CHRISTCHURCH, May 24. Pleading guilty to stealing sums of money amounting ot £1892 from the drapery firm of Drayton-Jones, Ltd., Nancy Hastings Carr, 22 years of age, was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

The woman was employed as the firm’s secretary from November 24, 1924, till April 29,. 1927, and had full charge of cash and business transactions. In a statement admitting her guilt she stated that she had spent the money foolishly. “I can never find words to express my sorrow nor can I ever repay Mr Drayton and his directors this injustice, but I am trying and will always try to live a good life, to be honest and truthful always, and as my fiance himself is so. I hope that the court will take as lenient a view as possible for his sake.” Accused said that about the middle of 1925, through the neglect of the auditors, she was tempted to start taking money from the company, and she had continued to do so until a few weeks ago. During that time, the company estimated, slie had taken about £IBOO, and having thought it out, she believed that that amount must be right. She had spent the money foolishly, except for a little in assisting her mother, who was in fairly poor circumstances. Accused took the money, according to her statement, by entering cash sales as amounts less than they were. The auditors, she said, were in at intervals. Mr Drayton, managing director of the firm, felt certain that something was wrong, and appealed to the auditor to close every channel through which defalcations could be brought about. He promised to do so several times, but finally sailed for England in March. His assistant then did the work, and he also was approached by Mr Drayton axid instructed to do certain work in accused’s presence. This work was never done, thus leaving the opening for dishonesty very large.

“TEMPTATION GREW STRONGER” “[ was extremely surprised,” continued accused, “that this theft was not found out months ago, and gradually the temptation grew stronger and stronger. I have given them back everything I possess, with the result that I Ixave nothing left in the world; in fact, I have given them back presents sent to me from oxitside this country. I did intend being manned shortly. Though I am in this great trouble he has stood by me right through. There is no one in league with me at all, nor has there been, and I have none of this money anywhere.”