ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 207, 30 August 1905, Page 2

ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION.

Geor_e Ward, formerly a commercial traveller for Messrs. Whittome and Stevenson, of Auckland, was charged in the Police Court to-day before Mr. R. W. Dyer. S.M.. with having received two sums of money, amounting to £4 5/, and fraudulently failing to account for the same to his employers. Chef Detective Marsaek prosecuted, and Mr. Hackett defendedAlfred Ernest Whittome, one of the principals of Whittome, Stevenson, and Co., deposed that Ward was engaged -*s traveller and collector at a salary at a Balarv of £2 per week, with £2 travelling expenses and 5 per cent. couimUsions. Ward commenced business in January, and in the following June it was found that discrepancies had occurred in his accounts, which were deficient by £23. Ward offered to p.-y this sum"back by instalment? of --"'> r>er week, and entered into an agreement ;o do this. Consequently, the firm ilecided not to take proceedings. At the time the witness remarked to the accused: "Now. Ward, is this all?" The accused replied that it was the full extent of his defalcations, and asked witness not to inform his zuarantors. The sum of 13/ due to the firm from James Baker, and £3 12/ from Timothy B. O'Connor, had not been received by them. To Mr. Hackett. the witness said thai if the amounts had been included in the agreement he would probably still have accepted it. When Ward saw him on July 10 he poid £3. the first instalment of the sum n entioned in the agreemerr. Mr. Hackett: Have you good reason to believe that Mr. O'Connor's payment was omitted from the list by mistake, and not through fraud? Witness: I have not. (Frocee_t_g.)