TOWN CLERK & CASHIER

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1924, Page 9

TOWN CLERK & CASHIER

ALLEGED THEFT OF BOROUGH FUNDS.

(Bl TELEGRAOB PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, 31st January.

At the Police Court to-day James Wilson, aged 38, Town Clerk of Devonport, and Greta -Tui Ingham Foulbaum, aged 21, borough office cashier, pleaded not guilty to charges of tlieft of the funds of the Borough Count??.

According to the evidence- of the Mayor (Mr. T. Lamont), the female- accused admitted that 'Wilson had sometimes borrowed a little money' from the borough, funds, for which he had given her cheques on his own accounts Witness heard the. female accused say that Wilson, always asked her t-o hold the cheques he gave her for money advanced from borough funds. She taid she had U-t him have £5 and £10. and sonietimea £20 and £50 out of tho cash, for which he gave her cheques to hold. She admitted holding, cheques for Wilson total- 11 ling £100, _ and sometimes £300. She had once banked one of his cheques for £85 against his orders, and Wilson had been very angry about it. It was understood that the cheque was lodged, but the bank returned it, as there was nothing to meet it with. Witness had remonstrated with tho female accused concerning her loyalty to Wilson and her disloyalty to the council, but she did not speak. It was now ascertained that the shortage "was approximately £354. Witness heard Wilson admit to the auditor that he had been gambling for heavy stakes.

Accused reserved their defence, and were committed for trial. Bail was allowed. J