ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 57, 8 March 1889, Page 3

ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT.

AUGUSTUS IRONMONGER

ACQUITTED.

Atottsg man named Augustus Ironmonger appeared on remand at the Police Court this morning, charged by George Mcßnde with having embezzled £4 103 from Georgo Hcßride. " Mr Theo. Cooper appeared on behalf ot the accused. Sergeant-Major Pratt said he would like to make a few words of explanation with regard to the case. The warrant was issued on the information of a Mr Ramsou, who! was in the employ of Mr Mcßride. He came to the police and stated chat the prisoner was travelling for Mr Mcßride and'had only just returned,and on going into bis account they thought there was a deficency of £200. They expected that the prisoner would leave by the Waihora, which was going to Australia at five o'clock that evening. A warrant was accordingly taken out. The following day application was made to have the warrant withdrawn, but lit .Ewirigton said that could not be permitted, the warrant having been issued. The prisoner was accordingly arrested and remanded, being let out on bail. Thodetectives who had the case in hand had looked in vain for Mr Mcßride. He could never be found, and consequently the police were not in a position to proceed with the case. If the cornplaiuan6 was in Court he would suggest that he be put in the box, in order that ha might state whether he wanted the case withdrawn, and if so io explain why he had put criminal law in motion and then declined to go on with the case. Mr Ramson said that ho had laid Hie information and subsequently applied to have it withdrawn. Augustus Ironmonger had .been travelling on their behalf tor about nine months. When he returned his accounts showed about £160 balance against him, Witness had several conversations with Mr Ironmonger as to how this deficiency Would be made up. He said he had not got the money, but he would repay it if they gave him time. This went on for about a fortnight. On the day the warrant was taken out the Sydney boat waa leaving, and they feared that Mr Ironmonger might baa passenger, and therefore the warrant was obtained. From the heginning they did not wish to have him arrested; in fact, Mr Ironmonger was in the e3tablishmont when witness returned from taking out the warrant. He had since wished to withdraw the warrant.

Mr Coopor objected to the information being withdrawn, as he considered it should be dismissed. He said that this was one of those cases in which the criminal law had been set in motion, and the police most improperly used by the complainant for the purpose of obtaining payment of a civil debt.

The Bench dismissed the case, and remarked that there was not the slightest stain on the young man's character in connection with the proceeding.