THE TIMARU EX-LIBRARIAN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2369, 20 October 1880, Page 2

THE TIMARU EX-LIBRARIAN.

Henry Thomas Reid, lately Librarian at the Timaru Mechanics’ Institute, was charged at the Belfast (Victoria) Assize Court, before Mr Justice Stephen on October 6th, with embezzling in May, 187 G, the sum of £236 18s, the funds of the Warrnambool Permanent Investment Society. He was defended by Mr Molcsworth, and pleaded not guilty. The evidence went to show that Bead, who was Secretary to the Society received a cheque from a person named Conway in redemption of a mortgage, and this cheque was not properly accounted for. The business of the Society appears to have been managed in a very loose way by the officers and the Secretary also did his work in an irregular way. There did not appear to be any deficiency in the funds of the Society, and it was suggested in defence that though the particular cheque was not paid into the credit of the Society, but cashed over the counter, the amount might have been paid in to the Society s account in another form. A payment of £4lB being made iu July, which was not shown not to contain the amount stated to have been embezzled. The Judge summed up strongly against the accused, but after deliberating an hour and ten minutes, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The Judge was very angry at the verdict, and characterised the conduct of the jury as disgraceful. There Avcre other charges agains the accused, but the Judge ordered him to be discharged altogether.