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Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1940, Page 10

finance department of the firm, three years.

The Judge in his summing up commented on the fact that Trevitt and Foskett were old and trusted servants of the firm and that the fraud had been continued over a considerable period.

“Both these prisoners had pleaded guilty, but Ferguson Hallett denied that he had ever received a penny as the result of the defalcations.

“The result, as far as the two former men were concerned, was a foregone conclusion, but Sir Humphrey Clintock who appeared for Hallett, put up a very strong defence. His speech to the jury was deeply moving and to a great extent neutralised Mr Jerome’s searching cross-examination of the prisoner. The definitely hostile, but scrupulously fair, summing up of Mr Justice Macauley told heavily against Hallett.”

In another column she found a full report of the case and as she read the cross-examination the paper had referred to, she could sense the drama that Ferguson had lived through. “So you admit you made false entries in the various books which were in your charge?” "Yes,” Ferguson had replied. "1 have already admitted it. I did it to shield my two friends.” "Was that honest to your employer?”

"I felt certain that Mr Trevitt would adjust the whole thing. I still think he meant to do so.”

“You knew he had robbed his employer?” “I knew that he and Foskett had used money belonging to the firm."

“What is the difference between that and theft?”

“It wasn’t consciously theft.” “Unconscious robbery?” (laughter). Laughter! Mary Donovan shivered as she saw the word in cold print. “You really wish His Lordship and .the jury—experienced business men and women —to believe that you put your head in the noose merely because you were sorry for these men?” “Whether they believe it or not, it was so.” “Just out of loyalty?” “Yes.”

“And did yoii owe no loyalty to those who employed you? To your bread and butter?” “I did! And if I knew what I know now I should have acted differently.” “If you had known you would be found out, you mean?”

“No. I meant what I said.” “What was your salary?” “Six hundred a year.” “Did you on the twentieth day of December last purchase a ring?”

“Yes.” “What did you pay for it?” "One hundred and twenty pounds.” “Where did you get the money?” “I had it.” “I know that. What I asked was: Where did you get it?” “I had saved it.”

“Were you in the habit of spending such large amounts on rings or other jewellery?” “No.” “How much else have you saved?” “The police have my pass book. There is about two hundred pounds.” “Kindly answer my question: How much else have you saved?" “About two hundred pounds; the amount in my pass-book.” “You have no other property. No other jewels, for example?” “No.” “No emeralds, for example?” “No.” “To return for a moment to the books which were in your charge. You received six hundred pounds a year for keeping them?” “Among other things. It was certainly part of my duty.” “And when the accountants were in the office you knew that they were being deceived, being—if I may use the phrase—led up the garden?” “What a curious phrase, Mr Jerome,” His Lordship interjected. ”yPr-fryd employerrf'ywoP “Yes, my lord. But I fancy the accused understands what I mean." “I am glad he does. I don't.” “I’ll put the question differently: You knew that the accountants were being hoodwinked?” “I knew that they had to be hoodwinked or the whole thing would come out.” “Now we are gettnig somewhere. You did your best, I take it, to hoodwink them?” “I had to. By that time, although I had not benefited to the extent of a penny, I was involved in the network of deception.” “You were involved in the network of deception?” "Yes.” "You had falsified the books?” “Yes.” “You had connived at theft?” "At irregularities, which I was certain would be put right.” "You really think that when Foskett had paid the Borneo cheque into his private account instead of into the credit balance of the subsidiary company, he was merely acting irregularly and not dishonestly?” “It was dishonestly.” “It was theft?” “But I thought that ho would replace it,; And I knew if I gave him away it meant ruin for him.” “So we get back to the curious position that you did these illegal and wrong acts merely out of the kindness of your heart and with no hope of gain in any form?” “Yes.” “I want you to answer this question carefully, Hallett. Are you of normal intelligence?” "I think so." “You are not a fool?” "I'm beginning to wonder." (To be Continued).