FRAUD ON A MELBOURNE BUILDING SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9461, 4 September 1889, Page 5

FRAUD ON A MELBOURNE BUILDING SOCIETY.

On the 15th ult. Mr. Costello, manager of the Empire Building Society, Collins-street, Melbourne, wan colled to Sydnoy on business matters, leaving John Jones, aged 18, in charge of the office. The company had recently arranged an overdraft at tho Mercantile Bank, which had not yet been drawn against. Jones was evidently aware of tine. Ho got two directors to sign a blank cheque, stating that it was for oflico expense*!. Jones tilled in the cheque for £I'JOO, and cashed it at the bank. He did not roturn homo that night, and next morning tho office was not oj>oned. Mr. Costello 's father has an office in the same building, and had been asked to keep an eye on hie son's of lice. He opened tho door with his Bon's koy, and found a telegram pur-; porting to have come from Mrs. Jones, intimating that Jones woe not well, and that he would not be at business. The following day his sister arrived at the office to make inquiries about him, and this led to the discovery of the fraud. It is ascertained that Jouee obtained a draft for £1000 on London, and loft by th« Garonno with a female companion on th« 17fh under an a-s----aumed name. Payment of the draft has been stopped, and the police at tho ports en route have been requested to arrest the fibeeonder.