THEFT ALLEGED

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 February 1926, Page 2

THEFT ALLEGED

EMPLOYEE ACCUSED. . ,

Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., presided at a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court this morning,/when Richard Ronchi, butcher, Blackwater and Waiuta, proceeded against Samuel Arthur Lee for alleged theft of various sums of money, totalling £27 14s, between June and October, 1925. Plaintiff Was represented by Ml’ J- -P- Batchelor (Christchurch) and accused 1 by Mr W. J. Joyce. Mr J. B. Batchelor said the case was simple, accused was employed by Ronchi as assistant at Blackwater. He delivered meat and accounts to customers. It was alleged that, where the item- “account rendered , appeared at the head of customers’ accounts, it was erased from the amounts before handing the- bill to a customer. In the case of cash customers, the accounts were destroyed. When Lee was spoken to by Ronchi regarding the accounts, he ♦ promised to “come down and tell everything, ’” but failed to do so. He was subsequently arrested in Christchurch. Richaid Ronchi, butcher, Waiuta, said accused was employed by him lor two years and three months. He was usually employed on the delivery van, and Mrs Ronchi made out tlie accounts. Witness had nothing to do with the books. He had no suspicions of Lee until the Friday before Labour Day, when he noticed an entry in Lee’s book to the effect that he had lent Saberi, a stm ekeeper at Ikamatua, £5. Later Lee said he had lent the £5 to Mr Corliss, Hotelkeeper at Ikamatua. When asked why he had entered the amount against Sartori, he replied, “If you're squealing so much, I’ll give it to you.” . He put his hand in his pocket, but failed to hand over the £5Ronchi then took round the ; me at himself. He detailed instances wnere the money for two accounts, receipted by Lee, was not paid over to him. Accused had promised to come and fix the books up, but had failed to show A number of receipts and accounts were produced, which Ronchi swore had been signed by accused. To "Mr Joyce, Ronchi said he was carrying on busines at Blackwater in partnership with W. O’Malley. There was a shop and slaughterhouse at Blackwater and a shop at Waiuta. He had never told accused to buy cattle on his behalf. Accused had agreed with Pryce Hamer for the purchase of a line of cattle at £l2 per head, which witness paid. Accused went

round for orders. The orders were entered in the shop books after the meat was cut, which was done by either witness or accused. The cash bag was handed in to witness by accused on the night of the Sartori loan incident, and on one or twp other occasions. Witness remembered one occasion on which accused handed in £2 more than was shown on his book. During the period accused was in his employ they had several discussions as to the amounts due by several customers' and the reasons for the accounts not being paid. Only one or two of his customers paid cash. Cross-examined by Mr Joyce, Ronchi admitted that no one paid cash. His memory was good. There was no reason why Sartori should

borrow £5 from him, as lie was in a •mod financial position. There was not many odd days in which he was absent from his shop. He was never absent for any considerable tune whilst Lee was in his employ. Lee never - had to open the Waiuta shop. (Proceeding.)