THEFT OF TRUST MONEY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 June 1924, Page 11

THEFT OF TRUST MONEY.

HA WEI? A BOY CONVICTED

Albert William Reid appeared before Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., this morning on remand charged on twelve different counts with the theft of varying sums of money totalling in all £49 3s sd. Sergeant Henry, for the police, said that accused had been employed as clerk and assistant accountant at- the office of Messrs, fjjjallhvell, Sprntt, Thomson and Horner, solicitors, Hawera. Part of his duties were to attend to the payment of certain insurance moneys, and the method by which accused had worked was to draw the cheques, take them to> one of the principals to be signed, and in making payment to keep back a certain amount for himself. The deficiencies, which appeared between the dates of December 19, 1923, and June 4, 1924, were as follows : Royal Exchange Insurance , -j . c ' iec l'ies drawn for £3O 11s Gd. £ls ils paid, leaving a. deficiency of £ls 0 s 6d; Southern Union Co., cheques drawn for £27 19s 6d. £lB 10s paid, leaving a deficiency of £9 9s 6d ; Norwich Union Insurance Co. cheques drawn for £6 6s Id, £2 9s 7d paid’ leaving a deficiency of £3 16s 6d; Ocean Accident Insurance Co., cheques drawn f° r „ 43 2s 6d, £1 7s 6d paid, leaving a deficiency of £l 15s; State Fire Insurance Co., cheques drawn for £9 4 S 3d So IoS 1 o S Bdpaid \ paving a deficiency of £2 9s /d; Alliance Insurance Co cheque drawn for £3 6s Bd, lea-vino- a deficiency of £3 6s 8d; London and Lancashire Insurance Co cheque drawn for £1 18s sd, leaving a deficiency of £1 IfeSd; Victoria Insurance Lo., cheque drawn for £2 13s 7d leaving a deficiency of £2 13s 7d • Ha' wera County and Patea Harbour Board rates, cheques drawn for £2 14s 5d and £1 18s respectively, but cashed and not paid to the local authorities; f 1 Es 10d be State hire Insurance, drawn twice but paid once ; cheque of £2 15s 5d for Ha. wera-County rates, cashed but not paid to the'equncil. 1 It was agreed that all twelve charges should be taken as one, the tot-d amounts only being named.

Sergeant Henry said that the deficiency or £2 15s 5d was tiie first discovered and Mr F. C. Spratt had laid vr ■iv t n l l liatlon , tor accused’s arrest. Mr \\ abdey, who was connected with the firm as auditor, had accosted accused in Wellington, and on informing him that he was wanted by the ponce accompanied him to the police station. When spoken to then accused made a full statement, and from that time on gave the police every assistance m clearing the matter up. Accused, who was 18 years of a<e had been spoken to by his father some time ago, hut the lad, thinking lie knew better than his father, had prenared to leave home. Since then he had associated with the wrong class of youimfellow.

Mr G. V T alkley gave evidence as to the amount of £2 15s od having been entered in the. cash book, but 'no receipt having been filed, and the cheque not having been pa Li into the Countv Office.

In reply to Mr O’Dea, who appeared for accused, witness said that the deficiencies would have been discovered in the ordinary course of audit. Constable Tocker deposed as to having obtained a statement from accused and to accused having given the police every assistance to clear the matter up.

Accused, who pleaded guilty, elected to be dealt with there and then by the Magistrate’s Court. Air O’Dea said that accused’s father was a most l.ighly-respected citizen, and was a director of the Hawera Dairy Company. For a, considerable time.the boy was all that could lie desired, but about two vears ago a change came, and the boy ‘began to get rebellious. Accused was thought"’ a good deal of by his employers, who raised bis wages from rOs nor week to £2 5s per week during the four years he was with them. Also while he was at school he was dnx of his class every year but one. and while he was at Sunday School he won numerous prizes. It had been suggested that accused was leaving New Zealand to go to Australia, but lie had stated that his intention was to obtain a position in a merchant’s office in Wellington. In view of the splendid home that was open to accused, he asked for ono more chance. George H. Buckeridge said he had known accused’s father for over 10 years, and he knew that gentleman to be a man of irreproachable character. He had 'watched the hoy’s progress right through, and he had thought that the boy was going to be a great success. However, the boy had gone wrong, but witness had since had a chat with him, and he was prepared to give him a position in his office. Accused’s father said he was prepared to do his best to give the liov a fresh start, hut he considered that certain. should be placed on him.

His Worship said the law provided for a conviction and for punishment. There were two courses open to him in imposing punishment—that of imprisonment or the alternative, probation ; hut there were certain facts to be considered. Accused would be convicted and would come up for sentence in one week’s time, and if he got probation it would lie on the steadier and more estimable qualities which his father possessed. s Bail was extended, accused in the meantime to report each day to the police.