EX-TOWN CLERK CHARGED

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 118, 20 May 1914, Page 8

EX-TOWN CLERK CHARGED

ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT MANY DUTIES; LITTLE PAY. (BY TELEGRAPH— SPECIAL TO THE POST.) 'PALMEBSTON N., This Day. George Sutherland, ex-town clerk of Taihape, was arraigned- before the Chief Justice to-day on a number of charges of embezzlement of borough moneys, amounting to about £580, between February, 1913, and January, 1914. Accused pleaded not guilty. Mr. Hutton appeared for the Crown and Mr. Cooper for accused. Evidence was given by John Rutherford, Government Auditor, as to apparent earlier deficiencies estimated afc £75, The accounts of the previous year — ending 51st March, 1913, were not complete. Accused was unable to explain the deficiencies. Witness stated that it was not uncommon for officers to be behind with their books. His Honour said it was a wrong system ; it was the duty of the Mayor and councillors to keep a stricter watch on the accounts. Witness slated that in the present case rates paid in February, 1913, had not been entered till June. Sutherland had admitted suppressing receipts. The effect was that cash paid by one ratepayer was paid into another's rate account, and rates paid were shown as outstanding at the end of the year. Witness said he could give no explanation as to how the deficiencies occurred. Cross-examined, witness said the books had nob been kept by accused, who had been a busy man — engineer as well as town clerk. The office was understaffed. Witness had come across more than one case in local bodies where books were badly kept. Accused, had given every assistance, but said he had not bad the money for his own personal use. Sutherland had prepared a balance-sheet for 1913 after his arrest. lie had been left in sole charge on one occasion after his suspension. Witness said, he could not swear positively to the use of the word " suppressed " in connection with xc« ceipts. In further evidence it was stated that accused had not only been town clerk and borough \ engineer, but borough treasurer, building inspector, fire ' inspector, captain of the fire brigade, inspector of nuisances, and returning officer. Important borough works had kept •him. very busy, and in addition he had to redraft the borough bylaws. The salary was £300 a year. For years he had had no holiday, and had had to sell his furniture to pay his debts. He had complained of overwork, and had asked for extra assistance. People were prepared to find the money to square things up, but Sutherland refused to have anything to do with it, saying he had not had the money. The Mayor of Taihape had offered assistance*. Accused had been kept on by the council until recently, when he was dismissed on account of a row over the fire brigade. The row had nothing to do with the charges before the Court. The case is proceeding.