METER-READER CHARGED.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1922, Page 7

METER-READER CHARGED.

ALLEGED CASH DEFICIENCY. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. An alleged deficiency in the amount, of eash paid in by him in his capacity of borough meter-reader and collector led to Hubert Cedric Jepson appearing in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., to answer two charges. The first charge alleged that accused, being _an electric light meter reader and colemployed by the New Plymouth Borough Council, did on or about July 29, .1922, at New Plymouth knowingly furnish .a false return of moneys collected by him in d receipt book entrusted to his care by making out receipts ahead and paid to the cashier the money so received on a date later than he should have paid in. The second charge was that Jepson did, on divers dates between August 3 and Aug. 5. 1922, collect sums of money totalling £lO 16s 9d on terms requiring him to account for or pay the same to the New Plymouth Borough Council, and did fraudulently omit to account for or pay the same Outlining the case, Detective-Sergeant Cooney said that accused was employed by the Borough Council in the electric light department as a meter-reader and collector of money. On August 4 the accountant at the borough offices had his attention drawn to discrepancies noticed when posting the reader’s receipt-book to the ledger. On making an investigation it was found that some receipts, dated July 29, followed receipts dated August 1. It was clear therefore that accused had placed receipts ahead and paid in the money represented by these receipts on a date later than he should have done. It was found also that accused was short in his cash to the extent of r £lo 6s 9d. 'Accused was dismissed on August 5. In explanation of the deficiency in his cash accused said he had lost the money. He had paid in £2 15s on August 15 in part payment of the £lO 6s 9d, whilst the balance of the money was paid in on August 10.

Mr. A. A. Bennett, who appeared for the accused, asked that the charges should be taken separately, and the request being acceded to the charge of knowingly furnishing a false return was proceeded with first.

G. V. Matthews, accountant at the municipal offices, gave evidence as to his attention being drawn to the discrepancy in the receipt-book and the result of an examination of the book, as outlined by the detective. He had carefully checked the book, and, finding things not exactly in order, felt that an explanation from the meter-reader was necessary. On being taxed with these discrepancies, Jepson said he had dropped a £lO note, and that other receipts, representing £lO odd, were placed towards the lend of the receiptbook. Witness pointed out to Jepson that that was an extremely foolish thing to do, and the matter would have to be reported immediately to the chief (Mr. Bellringer). This witness did immediately, and Jepson was brought before Mr. Bellringer, the electrical engineer (Mr. Bartley) being also present. On being asked by Mr. Bellringer for an explanation, Jepson gave the same explanation that he had given to witness. Accused gave witness £2 15s on August 4, saying he would endeavor to get the balance of the money as soon as possible, ending up by ■ saying he was absolutely innocent of wrong intentions. The balance of £7 Ils 9d was paid over on August 10 by Jepson. F. T. Bellringer, borough manager and treasurer, said Jepson had been employed as a meter-reader since November 4, 1921, having previously had temporary employment with the borough from March 15 to June 20, 1920. On the accused being asked for an explanation of the deficiency in his cash he said that on July 28 he had lost about £lO, either by giving a £lO note for a £1 note for change or through losing a £lO note. Jepson said he had placed receipts ahead in order that he might from time to time repay the amount lost from his wages. Jepson said he had not reported his loss, as he thought he might be dismissed. Jepson had been dismissed on August 5. Witness subsequently received a letter from accused, in which he reiterated his verbal explanation. Theodora Bedford, cashier employed by the Borough Council, and G. H. Richardson, Government auditor for the Taranaki district, gave evidence in connection with the cash receipt-book. Mary C. Angus, James Vale (accountant at Collett and Co.’s), George Yuka (fruiterer), Kanjee (partner in the firm of Moral Bros., fruiterers), John McCullough (cleaner and dyer), and A. Martett (taxi proprietor), gave evidence as. to paying the amounts of their electric light accounts' on dates between August 3 and 5. Detective-Sergeant Cooney gave, evidence as to arresting accused on Wednesday last. He made no reply when the charges were read over to him.

At this stage Mr. Bennett said he would agree to both charges being taken together. Accused had nothing to say in answer 1o the usual question, defence being reserved. A plea of “not guilty” was entered to both charges, and Jepson was committed to the November sitting of the Supreme Court for trial.

Bail was applied foi, and granted in accused’s own recognisance of £lOO, and one surety of £lOO, two of £5O or four of £25, accused being ordered to report to the police weekly.

An application for the suppression of the accused’s name was not granted.