BANK TELLER COMMITS SERIES OF THEFTS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3490, 28 October 1926, Page 10

BANK TELLER COMMITS SERIES OF THEFTS

Interference With Clients’ Ledger Accounts

FIRST THEFT COMMITTED FOUR YEARS AGO

CHRISTCHURCH. Oct. 26

One of the most audacious bank thefts in Christchurch of recent years was exposed in tlic Magistrate's Court to-day, when William Henry Melvin, formerly a teller in the National Bank of Now , Zealand at Christchurch, pleaded guilty to thefts of sums totalling £3OOO from the bank. Melvin, who is 27 years of old, is well-known in Christchurch sporting circles. He was a prominent Rugby footballer and oarsman. The evidence given before H. PLawry, S.M., showed that the defalcations were made systematically over a period of years, and were cleverly covered up until last month, when the shortage was discovered by the accountant of a firm doing business with the bank. Chief-Detective T. Gibson prosecuted, and Mr. F. D. Sargent appeared for Melvin. . Doris M. Bellamey, a clerk in the bank, said the monthly statements for Langdowns, Ltd., were questioned, by that firm recently, and she referred them to Melvin. Stuart William Spence, another clerk, said that some time ago, while Melvin was on leave, he telephoned to witness, asking him to leave the current account ledger, L to Ma„ out overnight, as he wanted to have a look at it. , George Lewis Pomfrot Dodd, secretary and accountant to Langdowns. Ltd., said that the statement for September account showed a balance on the current.account of £4840 4s. After receiving this statement he balanced the books and found a shortage of £2OOO. He then went to the bank where he saw Melvin, who said, “In there something wrong?” Witness produced the bank statement showing a balance at August 31 due by the bank is, £8338 15s 3d., and compared it with the other statement snowing a balance of £6338 15s 3d. After some conversation Melvin asked witness, when he was leaving, how long he would be. When witness returned, after twenty minutes, Melvin was not there.

Clement Alexander Steven, in charge of the branch of the National Bank of New Zealand at Papanui, said that Melvin called at the hank on October 4, at about 11.30 a.m. As a result of something Melvin told him witness gave him the bank revolver., fully loaded. Later in the day he beard something which caused him to look for Melvin, and he found him at the Wellington Hotel in the evening. After some persuasion on witness’s part he got the revolver back.

Alfred Keith Collins, a clerk, stated that on the morning, of October 4 Melvin arrived at work as usual, but disappeared some time before noon. Witness was sent out to search lor him, but could not find any trace of him. Witness was at once put on to investigate the bank’s books and found that £2OOO was missing. The first theft occurred on February .10, 1922. The thefts gradually increased until h'ebruary 12, 1924, when the total was £SSO. On that date the shortage was transferred from one ledger to another, because of a change of Melvin’s duties. During 1934 three amounts of £SO and four of £IOO were taken, and in 1925. three amounts of £IOO and one of £3OO, the last being on December 17. Witness read a statement made voluntarily by Melvin, with the object of assisting the bank to clear up the position. Melvin detailed the defalcations, and expressed regret that he was unable to make good the shortage, as (here was no one who could help him out. No money had been taken from the bank during the last ten months. Melvin pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was alllowcd in accused’s own recognisance of £IO9O and two sureties of £SOO each. In addition Melvin is to report to the Detective Office at S a.m. and at S p.m. daily.