CLERK’S DEFALCATIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 117, 18 April 1931, Page 10

CLERK’S DEFALCATIONS.

THEFTS FROM BANK AT MARTON

MARTON, April 17. Pleading guilty to defalcations amounting to £575 8s 7d, George Arnold Thomas, teller at the Bank of Australasia, Marton, a married man with two children, was to-day committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence. Bail was allowed in three sureties of £2OO each. Detective H. Russell appeared for the police, and accused was represented by Mr K. A. Williams.

Mr S. A. Gover, manager of the bank, said that defalcations had been committed over a considerable period, but until March 30 last accused had covered his tracks. On a later date Thomas admitted having converted £167 11s 6d to his own use. Inquiries followed, and further details of unproper conversions of money were revealed. When found out Thomas had given every assistance in clearing up the matter. .

Accused, witness continued, had always been a capable and industrious officer. In 1927 he had married while in receipt of only 232 per annum, and as a consequence he had received notice of dismissal. The matter had been adjusted, however, and accused was kept on.

Detective Russell read a statement in which Thomas had made a clean breast of the whole affair. He later gave as his reasons the fact that he had got married and had tried to live well. He had occasionally played “penny poker,” and he had hopes that he would win a sweep somewhere so that he could repay the bank. He had become worried and had done somo drinking after hours. He had always hoped to make restitution, but had been unable to do so.

Without further comment Thomas pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence.