ARREST OF A LEVANTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 28

ARREST OF A LEVANTER.

Wellington, June U.

A remarkably clever arrest was effected by Detective Campbell this morning. At 9 o'clock last night the police here received a message saying that James Dawson, the chief accountant of the New Zealand Insurance Company at Dunedin, had disappeared, taking with him LSOO of the company's moneys. Dawson wa3 believed to have drawn the money from the bank on Saturday morning, and left by the express train the same day. This morning Detective Campbell went on board the snip Canterbury, which was just about to leave for Boston, and found in a bunk a clean-shaved man, whom he accused of being Dawson. Eventually the man admitted his identity, and was taken sshoie. He had secured a saloon passage for L3O, and on him was found a drait on the Bank of California for 480dol and LSO in gold. Dawson, who is 28 years of age, has been in the company's service for 13 years. But for an accident to the wheel of the ship he would have sailed yesterday, some hours before the police heard anything about it. As ifc was, the detective was only just ia time, as the Canterbury was leaving a few minutes after the arrest was effected.

Dawson was brought up at the Police Court this morning, and remanded to Dunedin.

Dawson has been employed in the local branch of the New Zealand Insurance Company for the past 12 or 13 years. Recently he has filled the position of accountant, and was in receipt of a good salary, possessing the fullest confidence of the manager, Mr Edgar. On Saturday last he reported to those at the office that he was ill, and proceeded home, but on arrival there he informed his friends that he had to proceed to Oamaru on business for the company. He packed up some clothing and other belongings and left town by the train. On Tuesday one of the clerk's inquired after the young man's health from some of his relations, and it then leaked out that the story of his illness and the business trip to Oainaru were mere fabrications The manager, on being apprised of this, immediately instituted inquiries as to how Dawson's affairs stood at the office. On the sth inst. Dawson was instructed to remit a draft to the extent of £500 to the head office at Auckland. He reported having done so, and entered in the letter book a telegram purporting to advise tho head office of the fact that the money had been forwarded. Mr Edgar proceeded to the bank on Tuesday, and learned that Dawson had cashed the cheque for £500 on Saturday. A warrant was forthwith issued for hia arrest, with the result stated in the wire from Wellington. It might be mentioned that Dawson was guaranteed to the New Zealand Insurance Company by a guarantee company. He was well known in town, especially in sporting circles ; and that his betting propensities were very strong is evidenced'by the fact of his having taken a wager in connection with the New Zealand Cop on the eve of his departure for America. His friends here express the greatest astonishment at his action, and state that if he wanted £500 he could have easily raised that amount— some £200, in fact, being owing to him at the present time. Whether he has systematically defrauded the company is as yet unknown, for, it is understood, his books have not been investigated. Dawson's relatives reside in Dunsdin. He will appear before th 6 court here on the 21sfc insb.