MISUSED AUTHORITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19015, 10 November 1923, Page 15

MISUSED AUTHORITY.

FARM MANAGER’S LAPSE. CPkh United Press Association.) TE KUITI, November 9. At the Magistrate’s Court, William Earroll, aged 39, who gave his occupation as a farm manager, formerly at Wairniha, and now of Auckland, was charged before Messrs J. M’Carroll and G. Churchor, J.P.’s, on 12 counts of having on divers dates between Juno 1920 and August 1921 converted to his own use sums of money totalling £522 10s sd. Detective-sergeant Cameron, of Wellington, in opening the case for the prosecution, suit! that accused was employed by Mair and Co. to manage a farm at Waimiha. He had power to draw cheques on behalf of the firm. He had misused this authority, and had posted forged receipts to his employer. On one occasion he had been authorised to sell 200 sheep, but had actually sold 400, for which he received payment. The cheque was made out in favour of Mair and Co., but accused had placed portion of the amount to his own credit at the Union Bank. The hank authorities made investigation, and the misappropriation was discovered. Accused was to appear originally at Te Kuiti for trial on February 1921, hut when he was out on £2OO bail he absconded to the Argentine, the bail being estreated. He returned to the dominion recently and surrendered to the police. He had made a confession admitting all the charges. Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed for sentence at the Auckland Supreme Court on November 24. Bail, which was forthcoming, was fixed at £IOOO.