A SELF ACCUSER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2068, 5 July 1890, Page 2

A SELF ACCUSER.

An Auckland telegram says:—A man named T. K. Williams, who latterly has been an hotelkeeper at Auckland, recently stated to the police while under the influence of drink, that he had been guilty of a number of audacious thefts and embezzlements committed in England, America, and the colonies at different periods of his life, and that he had in 1855, in the early days of Ballaratt, while employed by Joshua Vines, of the firm of Vines and McPhee, coach proprietors robbed that gentleman of £2OOO when he was carrying on the business of a gold broker. The police authorities at Auckland have communicated with the police at Melbourne to ascertain if possible whether such a robbery took place. It has been found from the official records that such was the case. Vines, it appears, first became acquainted with Williams when he was purchasing gold from him. Vines stated that on one occasion he gave Williams a £lO note in mistake for a £l, and that Williams afterwards returned the money. ibis act of honesty led to his being employed by, Mr Vines in his gold business. One Saturday Mr Vines intended to deposit £2OOO m the bank, but learning that one of the coaches running between Ballarat and Ores wick had run over a woman be went to the scene of the accident, entrusting the money as he states, with his clerk, Williams, who left for the purpose of going to the bank but did not do so. Vines heard nothing further respecting him, although it is stated that a large reward was offered for his apprehension at the time, Williams, who is 64 years of age, has stated that he first began his evil practice in 1843, when he was employed as junior collector in a cotton house in Manchester. He cleared out from Manchester with £3OO of his employer’s money and proceeded to New Orleans where be was employed by a merchant named Massey, whom he afterwards, so he states, robbed of 000 dollars. He subsequently joined the Idth Lancers, then deserted and revisited the United States, and obtained the position of a bank manager in Nevada city, He subsequently abspopdpd with 20,000 dollars, and was lucky enough to get,

back to England. He afterwards visited Cape Colony, and then came to Victoria where the robbery when employed by Tines took place. The police now find that when they have confirmation of William’s confession he has cleared out for Sydney by the Wairarapa on Tuesday. Williams has been through the south, and some time ago was in the employ of Liardet, of Wellington.