THEFT BY MANAGER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19676, 30 June 1927, Page 12

THEFT BY MANAGER.

TAIHAPE FIRM'S MONEY.

EPISODE IN THE OFFICE

CHARGE REGARDING REVOLVER. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J TAIHAPE, Wednesday. A charge of stealing £8 from the firm of Collinson and Gifford, Ltd., drapers, Taihape, of which he was manager, was preferred against Henry Mitchell Fisher, aged 40, in the Police Court to-day. Mr. It. A. Davies appeared for accused. L. 11. Collinson, director of Collinson and Gifford, Ltd., said he visited Taihape on Saturday, in company with It. C. Donald, a shareholder and auditor to the firnj. They came up to investigate the company's affairs and, as a result of the investigation, discovered irregularities in the books. There was a deficiency of £B. At 6.30 p.m. on Sunday a meeting was held in the office of the firm, at which C. 0. Cibbs, It. Donald, witness and accused were present. When accused was questioned about the inaccuracy of the books, said witness, lie maintained that they were all right and said witness had no right to make investigations except before a full meeting of the directors. Subsequently, witness telephoned for the police. After he had done so, accused indicated his intention of leaving the office. Witness and the other two men rose from their seats, and accused, anticipating that he would be prevented from leaving, drew a revolver and pointed it directly at the three men, who ducked, and turned out the light. Accused then left the office.

In conclusion, witness said there were other deficiencies. Ho could not give an estimate of tho total.

Sergeant O'Neill gave evidence as to arresting accused, who admitted the revolver episode, but stated that the revolver was not loaded, nor had there been ammunition in it for years. AVitness said he examined the revolver, and was satisfied it had not been loaded. It was defective. In evidence, Detective Walsh, of Wanganui, stated that accused said ho would admit any deficiency in cash properly brought under his notice. He later made a statement regarding £B. Accused admitted visiting the office of Collinson and Gifford before daylight on Sunday for the purpose of destroying any incriminating documents. Accused admitted there were other defalcations, but could not give particulars, as it was his custom to destroy duplicate dockets when thefts occurred. Accused pleaded guilty, and was com mitted to the Supreme Court, Wellington, for sentence. On a charge of presenting a revolver at three men he was remanded until tomorrow.