ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 6, 8 January 1891, Page 8

ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT.

ARREST OF MARK RAWLINGS

Mr Mark Rawlings, who has held a high position in the - esteem of hi 3 fellow citizens, was arrested yesterday afternoon on the charge of having embezzled £226, the money of the Parnell Orphan Home Board of Trustees. It appears that for some time the accused has occupied the position of hon. treasurer to the Board, and at the monthly meeting the accounts seemed right enough. Considerable sums of money passed through Mr Rawlings' hands, including the interest on £12,500 bequeathed to the Home by the late Mr Costley. The Board of Trustees had the utmost confidence in the treasurer. At a recent meeting of tho Board some employees applied for payment of salaries. As these bad been authorised for payment four months beforean inquiry wasmade,and theaccounts audited. Upon receiving the report of the auditor, itwasdecidedto communicate with the police, and a sub-committee was appointed to wait upon Inspector Broham. The result was that yesterday Detective Chrystal proceeded to Mr Rawlings' residence in Parnell, where he found the accused suffering so severely from dysentery that he could not be removed. He accordingly remained in charge at the premises. This morning Chief Detective Kirby and Detective Chrystal drove to Mr Rawlings' residence in a cab, but found that he was still unfit to be removed. Constable Hobson has therefore been left in charge of the accused. It is stated that the audit revealed that something like £1,300 was not accounted for.

Ab 2.30 o'clock this afternoon Detective Chrystal proceeded to Mr Rawlings' residence in order that he might be brought bofore the Courb laber in bhe afternoon, when ib is understood thab a remand will be applied for and bail allowed.