MISSING PREMIUMS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 257, 22 June 1932, Page 6

MISSING PREMIUMS

INSURANCE AGENT CHARGED WITH MISAPPROPRIATING FUNDS. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. Failure to account for the sum of £40/11/6, the property of the policy holders of the Austrtalian Temperance & General Mutual Life Insurance Society, Ltd., was alleged against Basil Stanislaus Brogan in the Magistrate's Court, before Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., yesterday morning. Detective White presented the case jlor the ' prosecution and accused elected to be tried by a jury. Evidence of the alleged defalcations was given by Robert Arthur Kemp, superintendent of the company at Hamilton, who said accused was appointed an agent for the compapy on August 24, 1931. He was employed in Hamilton for some time and was transferred to Rotorua in November 1932. His general work included, collecting policy payments. In February, 1932 the office had trouble with Brogan over collecting funds due. He received a cheque which was returned from the banlc marked "not sufficient funds." Witness visited Rotorua and informed the accused that the amount due must be paid in. Brogan said that he had a joint account with P. S. Webster in Hamilton and that Webster must have drawn upon it without his (Brogan's) knowledge. The amount of £29/2/4 was paid by Brogan . On April 30, he again visited Rotorua and found that Brogan should have paid in £54/12/10. A cheque for the amount was sent to to him, but he did not present the cheque at the bank. He saw Brogan in Rotorua and told him the cheque was no good as he had no account. Brogan contended that the cheque was quite all right and if presented on May 2nd it would be honoured. Witness collected loose cash to the amount of £20/11/6, leaving £40/11/6 due to the company. He asked Brogan for a cheque for the balance to present on Monday and this was given. Brogan was tlien told that he would be arrested. The money had not been paid and accused had no authority to hold the funds of the company. Detective Knight put in a statement signed by accused in which he claimed to have sufficient credits with the Society to cover all shortages. Brogan pleaded not guuty, and was committed for trial at the next sitting of the 4 Supreme Court in Hamilton. Bail was allowed in accused's own recognisance for £50 and one security of £50.