NO RECEIPTS GIVEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 103, 4 May 1927, Page 10

NO RECEIPTS GIVEN.

TIME-PAYMENT ON CARS. PROMISSORY NOTES RETURNED. THEFT OP MONEY ALLEGED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. Walter John Clark Aitchison, who was committed fer trial yesterday on charges-of stealing £1036 9/3 from the Todd Motor Company, to which he pleaded not, guilty, had been employed by the company for three years in its Dunedin office and for the last three years in the Christchurch office.

Bryan James Todd said accused's duty was to receive the money paid in to the firm by way of instalments on motor cars. He disappeared on April 12 last and witness next saw him on April at the firm's office. The firm's accountant from Wellington told accused then that the amount of the defalcations was about £1000. Accused replied that he was taken aback that the amount should be so large, but ttiab he was quite prepared to accept the figures.

Geoffrey James Holljs. of Wellington, stated that as the result of his investigation he discovered irregularities amounting to £1036 9/3. The first aiinirfed aljout*.October 10, 1925. The records showed that no entry whaleviM had been made in the books with regard to numerous promissory notes, which' represented security for instalments on cars purchased on the hire-purchase sy>tem. According, to the books these notes had not been met, although long past due date. When interviewed accused told witness that he thought the total amount involved would be between £400 and £500. '

Detective Thomas said that on April 21 last accused called at the detective office. Witness'showed hhn a statement made by. accused to the Dunedin police. In the course of this statement accused said that during the past 12 months he had been taking the firm's money. He could not state the ejjaot amount, but lie thought it.was about £400. When people, had come in to pay instalments on cars he had landed them their promissory notes as receipts and converted the money to his own use. Tlie amounts lie had taken varied from £5 to £50. He had used the money for betting purposes .aad had first taken money because he had got into difficulties in this respect.