EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGE.
AGAINST COMMISSION AGENT. A HAWERA CASE. Sums of money totalling £92 10s were involved in a case of alleged embezzlement heard at the session of the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, yesterday, before Mr. Justice Hosking, when a young man, George Hinch, was charged with failing to account for moneys received on behalf of J. A. Sargent, trading at Hawera as the Sargent Electrical Supplies Company, by whom accused was employed as a traveller. Mr. C. H. Weston (Crown Prosecutor) conducted the case, and accused was represented by Mr. P. O’Dea.
The following jury was empanelled: M. Healy (foreman), R. A. Large, A. G. Mason, W. H. Rowe, C. James, G. Ellis, T. C. Boulton, J. Horn, R. F. Price, L. Deighton, J. J. Lomas, W. H. Preece, G. T. Burkett and A. Richards.
The prosecution alleged that two sums amounting to £O4; received from E. M. Reynolds (Oaonui), £25 received from A. Cross (Opunafcej, and £3 10s from Little and Holmes (Opunake) were not paid over by accused. Mr. Weston stated that Hindh had been employed by Sargent as_a commission agent to secure contracts, such as for wiring houses and installation of electric lighting plants. He was paid a peicentage on the orders he secured. In the course of the evidence it might be found that Sargent conducted his business rather loosely, and that his books were not very well kept, but the fact remained that Hinch had not accounted for certain moneys. On December 6 Sargent had a settling up with Hinch, but the latter did not then account for the moneys concerned in the information, and which had been received prior to December 6. Sargent was later compelled to file his schedule in bankruptcy, and it was not till the D.O.A. was going through the books that it was found the moneys had not been accounted for. Proceedings were then taken. Evidence was given by J. A. Sargent on the lines of the statement made by the Crown Prosecutor in opening. Cross- examined by Mr. O’Dea, he denied that he had given authority for Hinch to deduct his commission from the amounts received as deposits on contracts.
E. M. Reynolds gave evidence as to placing an order through Hinch for a lighting plant iat a cost of £2OO, plus £64 for installation. He paid Sargent £2OO and the remainder to Hinch in two lots of £59 and £5.
The Court subsequently adjourned till 10 a.m. to-day, Hinch being released under existing bail.
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Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1921, Page 5
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416EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGE. Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1921, Page 5
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