FAILURE TO ACCOUNT

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 69, 14 December 1933, Page 6

FAILURE TO ACCOUNT

Former Share Salesman POLICE COURT CASES Six charges of failing to account to Smith, Wylie and Co. for money totalling £lO2/10/- were admitted by Arthur de Vine, aged 58, salesman, in the Police Court yesterday, accused stating that he desired the cases, which dated from times between November, 1928, and May, 1930, cleared up. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Detective Murray said that he had interviewed accused, telling him that he had a statement from Mrs. Ethel M. Croft, of Petone, and receipts from accused, while the accountant of Smith, Wylie anti Co. had stated that accused should have accounted for the money. Accused had made a statement that he used to be employed in selling shares by the company for about six years. He had sold some shares to Mrs. Croft, obtaining sums of money and giving receipts, both official and unofficial. He was interested in the promotion of tw'o companies and had used the money, hoping that he would be able to make it good. However, things had gone from bad to worse. He had become unable to face his creditors, and had gone to Australia. The affair had preyed on his mind and he had come back to face it. Mr. J. D. Willis appeared for accused, and Senior-Sergeant Dempsey pro-’ secuted. Man’s Leg Broken, Benjamin Kirkbride was charged with assaulting Clifford Baxter on August 26 so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Baxter, who entered the ■witness box on crutches, and was allowed to sit, said hat he was a tailor. The alleged assault occurred at a house in Tinakori Road, where he and his wife and their child formerly occupied apartments. Coming home on a Saturday night about about 6.30, he unlocked the front door and found accused and another man staggering about the hall. When Kirkbride produced a key and dropped it the two men were too drunk to find it. Witness found the key, unlocked the door of the room Kirkbride apparently occupied and led Kirkbride in by the arm. Accused then snatched the key, and kicked witness on the shin, breaking the bone. He fell to the floor and Kirkbride, who was on top, punched him. He had been in hospital 11 weeks and had had two operations. Mrs. Baxter gave evidence which supported her husband’s evidence. Robert Wilson, Kirkbride’s companion, said that an altercation had occurred and Baxter had used offensive words. Constable Cleverley said he found Kirkbride asleep and drunk at the house a little after nine o’clock. Mr. W. E. Leicester submitted that accused had been so drunk that he had not been responsible for the result of what had happened in this instance. Kirkbride pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial, bail being allowed in his own bond of £25. He is to report daily to the police. Theft of Clothing. Albert Saunders, aged 49, labourer, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment for the theft of clothing valued at 23/- from Ng Jim. The magistrate remarked that accused had a long list of convictions, many being for theft.