FAILED TO ACCOUNT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 173, 24 July 1930, Page 7

FAILED TO ACCOUNT.

SALESMAN CONVICTED.

LEDGER CARDS ;f DISAPPEAR.

FINE'OF £10 IMPOSED. When William James Norton, salesman, appeared at the Police Court on Monday, charged with failing to account to his employers for £2, the magistrate dismissed the charge, remarking that there was a doubt. This morning two other charges were preferred against Norton, one of fraudulently omitting to account to his employers for £0 and another of theft of £21 belonging to the firm. The second charge was withdrawn by the police. Mr. Hunt, after, hearing much evidence, both for the proseeution and the defence, decided to convict Norton. "This case to-dav. is totally different," he said. "It is quite clear that Norton received the £0, because he admits having done 50,.. He was in charge of the. office and lie knew the system of the office. He gave the mail who paid the £6 an interim receipt, which should have been handed into the office. A strange coincidence is that about the same time as the £0 went missing the two ledger cards disappeared too. Evidence has been given by the auditor and the girl in charge of the office that they spoke to Norton about this and yet this morning lie denies . that he * knew of the missing ledger cards. I think he was temporarily 'pushed' for money and that he took this £6."

Mr: Hunt said there were three courses lie coulcl take; He could send Norton to prison, line Mm or place, him on probation. He did not propose to imprison liim, because tliis was liis first offence and lie was a married man. Norton was fined £10 and ordered to pay witnesses' expenses and to refund the £6, in default one month's imprisonment. Twenty-four hours were allowed in which to pay.