AN ACCOUNTANT CHARGED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3772, 29 June 1926, Page 18

AN ACCOUNTANT CHARGED.

ALLEGED THEFT OF MONEYS. CHRISTCHURCH, June 22. Alfred Herbert Rudd, an accountant, appeared at the Magistrate’s Court to-day on a charge that, on divers dates between October 5 and November 6. 1925, he stole sums of money totalling £323. the property of tho creditors in the assigned estate of W. Grossman and Co. Bernard, William Irwin, who was associated in business with the accused, was recently committed for trial on a similar charge. In a statement to the police, Rudd said that until recently he was a director in the firm of A 11. Rudd and Co., Hereford street. In November, 1924, he commenced the formation of the Canterbury Afforestation Company of New Zealand. At that time he advertised in the newspaper for share salesmen, and Bernard William Irwin was one of the men engaged to sell shares on commission. A month later Irwin stated that he was prepared to put money into the business, and they agreed that £6OO capital would entitle him to a half share in the whole of the business. In July last Rudd had a trust account with the Bank of New Zealand. He was the only one with authority to draw on that account. He had learnt since that Irwin opened another trust account, and, since it was opened, £775 0s 9d had been paid in. Rudd had since ascertained that an amount of £SO, paid in on October 5, and £l5O on October 22, were paid in by a chequo drawn upon the assigned estate of W. Grossman and Co. Irwin gave him to understand that the money had come from his mother-in-law. Rudd credited him with £2OO, and debited him with the amount borrowed. Rudd said he knew that Irwin was trustee in the assigned estate of W. Grossman and Co., but he had no knowledge of cheques from that estate being paid into his trust, or private accounts. Bernard William. Irwin, at present awaiting trial in the matter, said that on August 12 last year he attended a meeting of creditors in Grossman’3 estate, on behalf of A. 11. Rudd, representing the “Brighter Christchurch’’ Magazine Company. At that meeting ho and Mr Parker were appointed trustees. Subsequently a trust account was opened in the Commercial Bank of Aus-tralia-in the name of “Parker and Irwin.” lie drew cheques on this account, and, acting on instructions received amounts from accused. He paid some of them into tho credit of Rudd’s trust account, and some to his private account. Robert Harold Parker, accountant in tho employ of Messrs Bing, Harris, and Co., said that his firm was one of the creditors in the assigned estate of W. Grossman and Co., and he was appointed trustee with Irwin. Rudd pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial, bail being allowed in £3OO and one surety of £3OO.