STOLE FIRM'S MONEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1927, Page 7

STOLE FIRM'S MONEY.

TAIHAPE DRAPERY- MANAGER.

TRIED TO DESTROY EVIDENCE. BEFORE MEETING DIRECTORS. REVOLVER PRODUCED IN OFFICE, (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondeut.) ] TATTTAPE, Wednesday. -! Henry Michael Fisher, who "is on remand on a charge of unlawfully presenting a revolver at Leo. H. Collinson, C. 0. Gibbs, directors •of the drapery company of which Fisher is manager, and R. C. Donald, auditor, appeared in the Police Court to-day on' a charge of stealing £8 from the company, and with an attempt to commit arson. Mr. R. A. Davies appeare/1 for accused, and Detective Walsh prosecuted. Detective Walsli said that accused was manager of the firm of Collinson and Gilford for five years, and that ho had stolen £8 from the takings last Saturday. ... . • • : ' L. H. Collinson stated that he arrived in Taihape accompanied by Mr. R. McDonald (another member of the firm) on Saturday night to investigate the affairs of the company. . He went .to the office with Messrs. Donald and Gibbs, aud a meeting was held, at which they questioned Fisher regarding the cash taken that day. They were in the office until 10 p.m., and when they left the lights and radiator were out. They returned to the office at 9.30 the following morning, and found the radiator turned on, and the wastepaper basket lying against it; The basket, was charred, but ha J d not been burned.

Many Dockets Missing. On investigating the books, witness said, he found quite a number of dockets missing, and could not find corresponding dockets for the indexes. Witness produced several dockets for the day, which were entered on the dp.ilv sheet as 5/, 9/1, 2/8, 18/6, and tha, indexes showed that these amounts were £1 5/, 19/1, fl 2/8, and £4 18/6. Fisher was not present during this investigation, so an appointment was made for him at 6.30 p.m.

Witness questioned Fisher regarding the accuracy of kis records, and he maintained that they were correct. He made no explanation, whatever, and they decided to put. the matter in the hands of the police. Witness rang up the police in accused's presence. "We All Ducked." Fisher then arose from his seat, and intended leaving the room. ' When witness said, "Surely you' are going to wait!" accused replied that the sergeant knew where to find him.

"We all rose from our seats and approached accused," continued witness, "when he drew a revolver, pointed it at lis, and said, 'No, you don't.' We all ducked, and 'switched out the light. Fisher did not : discharge the revolver, and left the office immediately."

C. 0. Gibbs, of Taihape, another shareholder in the company, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness.

Police Sergeant O'Neill stated that at 9.30 p.m. on Sunday he called Fisher to the police station. On accused's arrival he asked him if he had a revolver? Accused said, "No," but told witness where it was to be found. He stated that he had presented the revolver at the directors at the meeting, and that it was unloaded. On examination, wii» ness found that the revolver was defective, and could not ba used as a firearm. Witness then arrested accused for presenting a. revolver and having it in his possession without a license. In reply to Mr. Davis, witness said he knew accused well, and always regarded him cs a man of highest integ-' rity.

Detective Walsh said he interviewed accused, wlio said he wanted the matter cleared up, and was prepared to make a statement. He made one and signed it.

In Office Before Daylight. Accused, in his statement, said he went to the office before daylight on Sunday morning for the purpose of destroying any incriminating evidence that might be there. While searching he had the light and the radiator on. He denied having purposely placed the waste-paper basket near the radiator, but said he might have left the radiator switched on when he left the office. He adraited presenting the revolver, but said it was not loaded. Ho admitted other defalcations, but did not supply any particulars regarding them, saying that it was customary for him to destroy dockets.-

Fisher pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme " Court, Wellington, for sentence. Bail was allowed, seelf security of £200, and two other securities of £100 each.

On another charge, of attempted arson, accused was remanded until Friday.