MANAGER IN TROUBLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19762, 13 April 1926, Page 9

MANAGER IN TROUBLE.

FRAUD ALLEGED. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (Pbb United Press Association.) GREY MOUTH, April 12. In the Magistrate’s Court Bert Somerville Neipir, the late Grey mouth manager of Wilson and Canham was charged with theft of various amounts totalling £674 8s 5s from his employers between October, 1923, and February, 1926. Detective Murch said it was alleged that the accused had drawn money for personal use from his employers’ account on the National Bank whereon he was entitled to operate only in the firm’s interests, and in order to cover up his actions had sent fictitious credit notes to the firm’s head office purporting to show the money was to pav for certain produce allegedly received. , Leonard Cedi Manning, the firm s branch manager, deposed that credit notes for produce purchased amounting to £674 8s 5d had been received, but witnesses’s investigations had revealed that the business had not been transacted. The accused issued cheques for private purposes making out fictitious credit notes to cover these. Witness interviewed the accused, who admitted the irregularities mentioned. Witness discovered shortages of 273 hides, 229 calf skins, 618 sheep skins, and 4131 ts of wool. Accused’s salary was £312 per annum His business was to purchase produce. Evidence was given by the creditors of the accused as to the receipt of cheques, they denying ever selling any hides or skins to the firm. Detective Murch said that the accused had told him that he wished to clear up the whole matter and had made a statement, which was put in. The accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial, bail being fixed at £SOO.