FRAUD ALLEGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 37, 13 February 1931, Page 5

FRAUD ALLEGED.

ACCOUNTANT ON TRIAL. PLEA OF NOT GUILTY. After further evidence had been heard in the Magistrate's Court in the case in which Frederick Joseph Huddleston. accountant (23), M - as charged with alleged false pretences and attempted false pretences, accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. The hearing of the case commenced yesterday morning, and was concluded to-day before Messrs. A. J. Stratford and S. J. Marks, J.P.'s. Mr. Noble appeared for the accused, while Detective Sergeant J. Martin prosecuted. Bruce Youdan gave evidence that lie had paid £20 for shares in an organisation known as the New Zealand Traders' Bookkeepers' Service, Ltd., which accused claimed to represent. He parted with the money because he was hard up and wanted a job. The whole business looked very rosy and straightforward to him. He obtained a job, but no salary, although he had understood that he would receive £4 10/ a week for five years if ho took up shares. Similar evidence was given by George Michael Adams. The managing director of the New Zealaiul Traders' Bookkeepers' Rcrvice, Ltd., James William Coffey Young, said that the company was registered in November, 1930, in Wellington, with a capital of £2000. Witness held 1900 £1 shares and his wife 100 £1 shares. Many people had subscribed to the original firm eontrolled by accused —witness' stepson. To keep faith with those people it was necessary to reorganise the firm, and accused had come to Auckland to sell shares on behalf of the company. The financial position of the company was such that shares had to be sold to keep it going. Early in January witness became aware that accused had sold shares in Auckland, but he did not know "what money had been paid to accused. Accused had no authority to retain . any money collected on behalf of the company. Witness did not think there was any prospect of the company carrying on. Detective Serjeant Martin said that while accused did not make a written statement, he said the coinpa'ny he represented had done no work in Auckland, and the only revenue derived »was the deposits for shares. Bail was allowed accused in one surety of £100. and in his own recognisance of £100.