CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3517, 9 August 1921, Page 37

CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT.

ACC USED ACQUITTED. WELLINGTON, August 5. The hearing was concluded at the Supreme Court of the cate in which William Little, formerly temporary clerk of the Labour Department, was charged with the theft of £lls, the property of the Government. His Honor, in summing up, said that so far as the department’s oftico regulations were concerned, they were adequate, provided they were carried out. It was an extraordinary position to take up for the accused to keep money as he did, even if lie were not actually guilty of any crime. His Honor said that perhaps it would be better if the officer in charge went round and saw that tho clerks performed thenduties. Accused had said that owing to the duties imposed on him lie had not had time to complete tho pay slips, and at: times paid in all the cheques, but no notes. If that were the case, it must have been a perfect, nightmare to the accused to have so much money lying about. Twenty minutes extra work would have cleared the whole thing up. Accused had sworn he had not touched the money. It was suggested that when the money was made lip someone came in and took it. Considering the circumstances, it was for the jury to decide whether it was possible for the accused to have forgotten whether he had paid the amount in or not. After half-an-hour’s retirement the jury returned a verdict, of not guilty. Considerable interest was manifested in the case.