CHARGE AGAINST AUCTIONEER.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19624, 21 May 1929, Page 15

CHARGE AGAINST AUCTIONEER.

ACCUSED RESERVES DEFENCE. [THE PBESS Special Service.] DUN ED IN, May 20. A well-known local auctioneer named Thomas Scurr appeared before Mr EL. W. Bundle, S.M., in the Police Court this morning on a charge that, on or about March 18th, he fraudulently converted to his own use £282. this sum being part of the proceeds of the assigned estate of Blackmore and Weir, sold at auction by him. Mr A. C. Hanlon appeared for accused. Alfred Ernest Reynolds, Clerk of the Court, Dunedin, gave formal evidence and produced files relating to a case in which accused had been sued on a dishonoured cheque. David.Leslie, public accountant, who was appointed trustee in the assigned estate of Blackmore and Weir, said he instructed accused to proceed with the sale of the plant and stock, .nd the sale took place on January 29th. Accused conducted the sale, and the gross amount realised was £7B] 2s. Accused was to receive the ordinary auctioneers' commission on the sale. Witness i received a cheque from the accused for £4OO, which was paid by the bank, leaving a balance of £282 owing. He approached accused for a final settle- i meat, and on March 18th received a cheque for £282. which was paid into the bank but had not been paid by the bank . ~ James Alexander Wmefaeld, accountant attached to the firm of Moore, Moore, and Xichol, testified as to the confession to judgment for £282, and costs, which was signed in his presence by accused Detective-Sergeant Nuttall said he interviewed accused at the Detective Office in reference to the sale of Blackmore and Weir's goods and produced a statement made by accused in which he stated, inter alia, that the money had been used by him in the course of his business. He had expected his father to stand behind him in the matter. .There was no necessity for him to pay the money received into a trust account. , , . , , Accused reserved his defence and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being allowed in his own recognisance of £2OO, and one surety of £2OO, or two of £IOO.