THE COURTS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8921, 9 September 1905, Page 7

THE COURTS.

IMPORTANT COMPENSATION DECISION.

[PKESS ASSOCIATION.] GISBORXE. September 8. A case of- importance with regard to compensation for accident was decided by Justice Edwards to-day. Ernest Robert Purnell claimed £457 for an accident by which he had his jaw injured through a knife from a moulding machine flying out. His Honor held respondent only liable for £40 11s, medical and dental expenses and wage*.

A MILK-CARTER'S PECULATIONS

AUCKLAND, September 8. At tKe Police Court, Henry Steele, a young married man, was charged with having received payments of several accounts amounting to £85 from customers of-tbe Fresh Food and Ice Company, on terms requiring him to account for the -same, and having omitted to do so, thereby committing theft. Chief Detective Marsack conducted the prosecution, and -Mr Lundon defended. Detective Marsack saTd accused was emploj'ed by' the company to drive a milk cart, .and it -was his duty to deliver milk and butter, for which he had also to collect the moneys During the last few weeks the directors of the company had come to the conclusion that several of the accounts -were becoming rather large. Some of the customers were accordingly -visited and asked for an explanation. Receipts, hojyever. were produced by many of the customers, showing that the accounts had been paid.

According- to evidence given by Cornelius Taylor, one of the directors, accused the day before his arrest admitted that he had been taking the company's money for about stx^months in order to help his sister^ who. he said, had got into trouble. On going~through the accounts seriatim with accused, witness found that the total defalcations amounted to £45.

Evidence was given by other members of "the company. Detective " Hollis deposed to arresting accused . on a" charge of misappropriating 3s lOd. The accused then replied "There are others." When charged with the larger sum-he replied. "I can do nothing butT.plead-guilty." _. Accused pleaded "guilty," and was remanded -'for sentence to the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed in one approved surety of £100 and accused by his own _of £100.