Embezzlement.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 286, 7 December 1904, Page 2

Embezzlement.

(Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Dec. 6. John Jardine was charged with embezzling the funds of the Railway Servients' Industrial Union of •Workmen. Accused had been secretary of the local branch, and received money in various ways. This should have been paid to the treasurer, but the not uncommon practice arose of the secretary growing to be practically secretary and treasurer. Sometimes the accused, instead of passing the money through the branch, paid it over on receipt directly to the person for whose benefit it was set down. This led to carelessness and confusion. For five or six years the association .went on receiving a quarterly statement from Jardine, showing a certain sum to the credit of Jardine at the bank. The society assumed that all wus correct, but subsequent investigations showed that the sums to credit differed widely from the statement sent in. On one occasion the balance-sheet showed £156 10s in the bank, whereas there was only really £1 13s 8d- Jardine's account had been "cooked," and when taxed he admitted taking the money. The auditors had not noticed that the pny-in Imnk slips had not been initialled. The total de-falcations-amounted to soma £350 altogether. Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to ths Supreme Court for sentence.