FOUND GUILTY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8738, 21 May 1914, Page 5

FOUND GUILTY

TAIHAPE TOWN CLERK ON SIX CHARGES OF DEFALCATION. Press Association. PALMERSTON N., May 20. , In the Supreme Court to-day, before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), George Sutherland, late town clerk of Saihape, was charged that on or about April I4th, 1913, at Taihape, accused Stole tho sum of £l4 from his employers; that on April 14th, 1913, accuser!, with intent to defraud, omitted a material particular from tho books (if tho said corporation, to wit, to make an entry in such books crediting Alfred William Bickncll with having paid, on behalf of the corporation, tho sum of £l4; that on or about May 3rd, 1913, ho did steal £5 Is 10d from the corporation; that on the same date, with intent to defraud, he omit‘jted to make an entry in tho corporation’s hooks crediting one David |Wiikio with having paid to him, on behalf of the corporation, £5 Is lOd; that on or about May 3rd, 1913, he did steal £ll from tho corporation; that on tho same date, with intent to defraud, ho .did omit to make an entry in tho corporation's books crediting the (Manawatu Timber Company, Ltd., with having paid to him, on behalf of tho corporation, the sum of £11; that pn divers dales between February 6th. i 1913, and January 30th, 1914, ho did steal tho sum of £352 18s from tho said corporation. Accused stated that ho had been ‘town clerk since 1906, ond during the last two years ho had been in receipt of £3OO per annum. Till 1909 ho had all the work of the office to transact. Tho work had mostly increased of late. In addition to his office duties, he was supervising engineer of several borough works, also returning officer, and ho prepared tho electoral rolls. He was three-parts of his tune out of tho office. He had asked the council twice for assistance, and was refused. lie knew on one occasion that the books did not balance within £7O, and ho borrowed £SO to make up the deficiency. His books were behind, as ho could not give them proper attention. He frequently received money in the street, but could give no reason as to what caused the deficiency. H© did not compare tho receipts with the amounts. He had at various times paid money out of his own pocket to make up deficiencies. The judge summed up strongly against the accused. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on counts one to six, and not guilty on tho seventh. The prisoner will be sentenced in the morning.