CHARGE OF THEFT.

Shannon News, 4 September 1925, Page 3

CHARGE OF THEFT.

EX-BANK MANAGER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

STRATFORD, August 31. Tiie case of Wm. Kerr, ex-manager of the Union Bank of Australia, who was charged with, the theft of moneys from the bank totalling £7208 3s 6d, came before the Court to-day. Detective WaL-h 'Wellington) represented the police. Mr F.. C. Spratt, Hawera, appeared for accused. There were six charges in the indictment, first that between July 5, 1923, and June IS, 1925, while a servant of the bank, he did steal the sum of £6063 3s Bd, the property of the bank; second, that on or about July 7, 1924, he did forge a chc.-i.iue for £6003 15s 9d drawn on the Union Bank in the name of a fictitious person, to wit, George Donald Bell, with intent, that it should be acted upon as genuine. The third and fourth charges related to the theft of a sum of £495 from the bank by means of a cheque in the name of another flctitioiiri person. The filth and six.th related to the theft of £350 and £3OO from W. H. Barlow. The first two charges were taken together. The circumstances, as outlined by Detective Walsh, showed that in 1924 accused was approached by J. H. Robson ana T. A. Sullivan for financial assistance to. purchase tim-ber-milling rights at Hokitika. The purchase price was £6OOO. He agreed to form a syndicate of six, but the names of the o.her three were to remain a secret with him and his name could not appear in the transaction, so. Sullivan was. nominated as purchaser, and the money was advanced. The scheme devised by Kerr was carried -out by tiie opening of fictitious accounts in the names of J. O. Burnett and Q. D. Bell. All the documents relating to these accounts prepared by Kerr were fictitious and when application was made to headquarters tor a limit of overdraft on the Bell account up to £4OOO the particulars furnished alleged that Bell was guaranteed by his father and Kerr recommended granting the overdraft, the security olfered (being wonderfully well described by Kerr in his recommendation to his heads. The overdralt was authorised and the period of currency was five times extended on the recommendation of Kerr. All the do-cuments and cheques relating to these two fictitious accounts were drawn and signed by Kerr.

When the inspection oi' the bank was made in Juiy last suspicion arose as to • these twu accounts and Kerr ultimately acknowledged they both were fictitious and that the major portion qi' tlie moneys drawn went in connection with the purchase of timber rights. He also gave a signed statement to Walsh admitting the fictitious operations. Evidence was given oi the particulars of the transactions and the result of the bank inspection of the branch. In reply t.Q Air S,pratt James Harran, bank inspector, said the bank and others bad the assignment oi the timber rights and the -bank hoped, after meeting i lie costs, to be fully recouped. On the first two charges accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. The other charges are proceeding.