THE SINGER FRAUDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3, 30 April 1912, Page 2

THE SINGER FRAUDS.

MacPHERSOX’S ADMISSION. When the Singer case against MacPhorson was before tlie 'Water Police Court last month counsel for the prosecution put in several documents, one being a letter from MacPhcrson to the general manager of the company pi Sydney, in which he stated: “1 am forced to inform you that I cannot proceed to Melbourne to take up the position arranged; neither can I continue in the company’s employ any longer, as I am nothing less than an out-and-out embezzler, and whatever the consequences to myself, whatever the trouble I bring on others, -1 have but the one alternative, to make a clear confession as far as it lies in my power, then await arrest on your warrant.. 1 have no wish to plead to you, no excuses to make. I merely place myself before you, a self-condem-ned embezzler. Ever since 1 took up my present position I have "been tampering with the company’s moneys, so much so that my defalcations am-

ount to thousands of pounds. 1 suppose it is the old story of expecting to make good your shortage and getting further into the mire.” After explaining the manner in which ho altered the company’s books to cover up the defalcations, MacPherson continued; “I wish to exonerate here all blame from anyone else in the employ, for any entries made in central office cash book not in my hand writing, for such entries were made at my dictation. . . Before giving you a list of shortages, as are known to me, I want to say that I want no mercy shown me, as all I get I deserve. My only sorrow is for the terrible disgrace I have . brought on my own people, and the injury if have done to my fell o w-cmployoes. ’ ’

In giving particulars of the shortages, as known to him, MacPherson wrote: “I cannot write much more. All I can say is when general manager cautioned me re going to races 1 was too heavily involved to stop away, and my only chance was, I thought, in taking further risks with the company’s money*. . . I should say my tota defalcations exceed £6OOO. . . I leave myself in your hands to prosecute, as I expect no mercy. I am simply leaving Sydney because I would rather face the law than face my past employees. . . The cash I have been tampering with has mostly been received from the showroom each night, and while crediting the city with that amount have had to reduce the totals of other remittance letters. Whatever my fate, and I expect no mercy, I am glad I have written this confession, as I have, .suffered more in mind during the past few yars than I could a lifetime in gaol.”