J. Rice Acquitted

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 42, 28 October 1927, Page 4

J. Rice Acquitted

Alleged Failing to Account

A Very Lax System

Balancing Monies Permissible.

“It is quite evident the system in the office has been very lax,” said Mr F H Levien S.M. on Friday last when James Rice came before him on a charge of having allegedly tailed to account for monies received by him for the Kaitaia Town Board and the Mangonui County Council in his capacity as dog tax collector and traffic inspector. Constable Bisset who prosecuted stated that the charge to which defendant had pleaded guilty was not so serious as it appeared. Wtien the Government Auditor was here he found that defendants books showed a deficit of £2B-2-0 due to the County Council and £2O-4-0 due to the Town Board. The auditor called upon defendant to produce the money forthwith and he was unable to do so. There was another side to the case explained the position at the time this money was owing both the local bodies concerned owed Rice sums of money and if a balance had been made then it would have beeniound that the total deficit would only have been £B-15-6. Defendant had not previously beah in trouble and the present position arose over the fact that he had been in the habit of balam cing his collections against the wages due to him. No exception 'Had been taken to his doing so. When the- books were adjusted the money was paid in within two days. There had been no dishonest intention oh the part of tr:e defendant.

Rice gave evidence in support 01 the statement made by Constable Bissett.

The Magistrate in dismissing the information stated tha-t the money should have been kept in a special banking account, The whole system was very lax indeed and defendant should have had a settlement each month. Legally it was permissible for. defendant as agent for the bodies interested, to balance his monies against ins earnings. He had exceeded his spending power and had placed himself in a difficult position. The money had, however, bees paid in and defendant doubtless would be more careful in future.