ALLEGED NAVY OFFICE FRAUDS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3050, 11 April 1917, Page 6

ALLEGED NAVY OFFICE FRAUDS

AN AUSTRALIAN SCANDAL. On a charge of having obtained >by means of false preteaces the sum of £1000 from the Union Steam Ship Co. of New Zealand, Ltd., with intent to defraud, David Plynn O'Donoghue, clerk in the Navy Office, was presented in the Melbourne City Court last week. Accused was convicted at the Criminal Court on February 28 on a charge that he Jiad fraudulently converted money to his own use, and on appeal the High Court decided that the conviction, could not stand, for the reason that the direction - given to the jury by Mr. Justice a'Beokett was not right as a matter of law. Accused was then arrested on a iresh -warrant, and charged with obtaining mone.7 by means of false pretences. Mr. klingender prosecuted for the Crown, and Mr. W. H. Croker appeared for O'Donoghue, who pleaded not gniltj. Detective T. C. Holland gave evidence that accused was a Common, wealth officer, in the employ of the Navy Department. ■ The Crown's allegation was that on January 6 last he visited the offices of the Union Steam Ship Co., and obtained a cheque io-r £1000. . Mr. Croker objeoted to this evidence. Witness, continuing, said accused was not authorised by the Navy Department to collect the money. Mr. Croker: This evidence has nothing to do with the charge. Mr.-Klingender: The Crown alleges that O'Donoghue obtained tho cheque and cashed it. : Witness applied for a remand of the case until April 12. O'Donoghue' was- remanded until April 12. Mr. O'Callaghan, J.P. (chairman): What is the total amount involved? Mr. Klingonder:_ About £9000. Mr. Crokor: This caee' will collapse like the other charges. The amount in the information is £1000, and it is highly improper to' state that £9000 is involved. Bail was fixed in two sureties of £250 each, and accused in the sura of £500.