THEFT CHARGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 February 1926, Page 3

THEFT CHARGE

ACCUSED. COMMUTED.

Samuel Arthur Lee, a former employee of Richard Ronchi, butcher, of Blackwater and Waiuta, appeared before Mr W. Meldrum ,S.M., yesterday to answer a charge of theft of . moneys, the property of-his employer. Evidence ! given yesterday, after the “Star” had gone to press, was that of Robert E. Wylde, accountant, Greymouth, who said that he had audited Ronchi’s books for the past five'years, every half year. . ' Adeline Ronchi, wife of complainant, stated that accused was authorised to collect accounts and give receipts. When he handed in money, witness went though the accounts yvith him. He usually took £2 in his bag when going on his rounds. The accounts produced were in witness’s handwriting. '< The receipts were Lee’s. In numerous cases the duplicate account, kept by witness, and the accounts rendered to the respective customers, did not agree, the amount of “account rendered” ,in the latter having been erased. ; Hiram Barnes, hotelkeeper at Totara Flat, stated that Lee delivered meat to his hotel, and received the cjash for it on delivery. Witness generally paid for it; occasionally his wife did. He was surprised to receive an account from Ronchi for meat for which he had paid Lee. Several other witnesses were examined regarding their accounts, each stating that the amount of “account rendered” was invariably erased. Accused pleaded “not guilty,” and reserved his defence. He was committed

to the next sitting of the Supreme Court in Greymouth, and meantime was admitted to bail on his own recognisance for £5O, and two sureties of £5O each.