ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1000, 21 February 1883, Page 2

ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT

John Black, late dork to the Patea County Council, was charged at the R.M. Court, yesterday morning, before C. A. Winy Esq., R.M., on the information of Robert Horner, Chairman of the Council, “ for that ho did on or about tbo 12th day of Juno, 1882, being then dork to the Chairman, Councillors, and inhabitants of the Patea County, receive and, lake into his possession for and on account of the said body corporate, the sum of £l2 in money, and within six months thereafter, to wit, on the 15(h day of July, 1882, the further sum of £5 in money, and the same did then and there feloniously and fraudulently embezzle, against the statute in such case made and provided, and against the peace of our Lady the Queen, her Grown and Dignity.” Mr Barton appeared to prosecute for the Council, and Mr Hamerton was counsel for accused. Mr Barton : My first witness, Mr M’Alister, Government Auditor, is not in Patea, and I will ask for a remand. His Worship : When is ho likely to bo here ? Mr Barton : A subpoena has been sent to him, your Worship, but it has not been returned as served. We have not beard anything, but probably a remand for a week will be sufficient. Mr Hamerton : I have no objection to an adjournment; it will give us an opportunity of getting an accountant from New Plymouth. The Court : Well, in that case there can be no objection. Mr Barton stated what the items were charged against the accused. In February,

1882, there was £5 received from Thomas lon ; in April, £5 from Mr Prouse ; in April, £2 J9s from Mr W. Balmforth ; and there was another information which had not been called on ; £l2, W.‘ Gallagher ; and July, 1882, £5, P. C. Gowland. His Worship ; Then a remand will be necessary, but in this case the bail will have to be heavy. Mr Gallagher: Your Worship, I wish to know who is going to pay the expenses in this case? His Worship : I am not. going info that now. The bail will be, himself in £4OO, and two sureties, each of £2OO, to appear this day week. Mr Hamerton : I would ask that bail he a little lower, it is a prohibitive amount in a place like Patea. Accused has attended on summons and made no attempt to get away at all. llis Worship : I will reduce it if it is likely to bo prohibitive. The bail will bo one half that amount. Someone in Court said something about expenses just now.

Sergeant Donovan : Ten witnesses have been suhptcnmd, your Worship. His Worship : With regard to witnesses I may say if there is a committal the expenses of the parlies subpoenaed will be allowed.