THEFT OF MONEY

Otago Witness, Issue 3402, 28 May 1919, Page 22

THEFT OF MONEY

SHIPPING CLERK'S CONFESSION. OHRISTCHURCH, May 23. John William Watkins, a passenger clerk in the New Zealand Shipping Company's office, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate'! Court to defalcations amounting to £240, consisting of amounts paid in by various customers. Ho was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. George Callender (secretary of the New Zealand Shipping Company) said the accused had been employed by the company for two years and a-half as passenger clerk and the rest of the time on other work. On April 28 tho accused had been given notice to leave on account of his position having to bo filled by a returned soldier. On May 12 tho accused came into his (witness's) office, saying ho was going in _to tho general manager to confess to having stolen money. Witness asked him how much he had" taken, and the accused replied that it amounted to about £3OO. Ho then left the room. The general manager cam© into witness's room shortly afterwards, and while they wore discussing the matter the accused came in and handed in a paper with a list of the amounts (produced). The list included, with one exception, the amount mentioned by witnesses in court. To Mr Ouningham (who appeared for the accused): The company had no knowledge of tho defalcations until the accused confessed to them. The conduct and work previously had been considered good. Mr Cuningham: How was it that the amounts were not checked ?—Witness : The book should be taken round with the moneys to the cashier. Mr Cuningham: Unless, under the system existing, a man confessed how could things of this kind be found out?—As soon as the vessel sailed it would be discovered, as it is then checked. Mr Cuningham: Then there is no system of checking the amounts day by day?— There was a better system of cheoking before tho war started, but afterwards it wai not found possible to keep up the system.