WARING TAYLOR'S CASE.

Evening Star, Issue 6760, 27 November 1884, Page 4

WARING TAYLOR'S CASE.

Waring Taylor was brought up at the Police Court, Wellington, yesterday, on various charges of having appropriated moneys belonging to the May CBtate. Mr Jellicoe, in opening the case for the prosecution, said that when the evidence was heard it would be seen that the ptiaoner was one of the most skilful thieves of the present age, David J.'. Stuart, broker, deposed that he sold twenty-three Bank of New Zealand shares for the prisoner on 31st of May, 1883 ; on the 3rd of June, 1883, thirty-one; and on sth of June, 1883, thirty. Altogether the net proceeds amounted to L 1,938 10a. fhe money realised was sent to prisoner by cheque on the Bank of Australasia. Witness deposed to Beveral other similar transactions with accused. One of these was on February 12, 1883, when a cheque for L 2,308 was sent to prisoner, Altogether he had given prisoner cheques for L 6.297 17s. (Tho sale-notes were handed in.)

Mr Jelliooe pointed out that upon each one was written " James May's estate." Ernest Wastney deposed that ho was ledger-beeper in the National Bank. On June 16, 1882, prisoner paid some money into his account, including a cheque for L 2.182 5a Bd, drawn by D. T. Stuart, and with which accused's private account was credited. Previous to that amount being paid in prisoner's banking balance was at a debit of L 5.659 4s. On August 18, 1882, prisoner paid into his banking account LI, 191 9s, which amounts were made up by two cheques on the Bank of New Zealand by D. T. Stuart. These were also placed to the credit of prisoner's account. Before these cheques were paid in prisoner's account had a debit balance of L 1.830 1U 7J. On February L>, 1883, an amount was paid into his account, including a cheque of Mr Stuart's for L 2.308 5s Sd. Before that was paid in the debit balance of the account was L 1,060 1)3 Sd.

Henry Richard Gregg, manager of the National Bank, corroborated the evidence of last witness, and added that on June 28 last, the date on which the prisoner filed hfc schedule, accused was considerably indebted to the bank. The bank's proof debt was about L 9.000. The overdraft was L 2.455. The proof for L 9.000 included bills under discount. Accused's brother had guaranteed an overdra't of L 5.000. Arthur Edward Rowden, clerk to the Rhodes Trust, said in June, ISS3, accused was indebted to Mrs RhodesLll,2Bs (is lid. In April, ISS3, 293 Bank of New Zealand shares were transferred to Mrs S. A. Rhodes by prisoner, he receiving credit on that account for L 6.965 15s. The receipt produced was in Mrs S. A. Rhodes's writiig. He did not know till recently that these shares bolonged to the May estate. The liability to Miss Rhodeß in June, ISB3, was L 2.779 3s, and eighty New Zealand Bunk shares were transferred to Miss M. A. Rhodos about that time, for which accused took credit for L 1.873 odd. At the timo this transfer was made he was not aware that they belonged to the May estate. Ernest Arundel deposed : I reside with my parents in Dunedin. I am one of the legatees under Mr James May's will, In March, 18S3, I received this document (produced) from W. Waring Taylor, and affixed my signature to it, authorising the transfer of twenty shares out of twenty-five willed to me by Mr May, and giving Taylor a power of attorney. A letter also went with the return stating that my brother Jonas thought it improbable that the power of attorney atd transfer would be of any use, because I was under twenty-one years of age. I have never received those shares, nor have I re- • lived the value of them. In May, ] SB4, m/ father received from Mr Taylor a cheque tor LIS dividend on my twenty-five Bauk of New Zealand shares, and a receipt was f r«

warded, which my father signed in my presence and returned. I never gave prisoner any authority to transfer shares. W. L. Hank, a clerk formerly in the em-ploy-of accuse, dej osed that the- writing in the trust estate bock was all Taylor's handwriting. Ho also swore that letters to the Sheffield solicitors and to Ernest Arundel were in the handwriting of prisoner. At this juncture it was decided to adjourn the caie till Saturday morning, bail being allowed as before.