The Absconding Bank Teller.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5622, 18 November 1889, Page 4

The Absconding Bank Teller.

Tmqonweu A. W, Thosub, the sooond t«ll«r of the Sydney branch of the Bank of New Zealand, who disappeared suddenly on Tuesday, the 29th ultimo, was arrested on board the Konoowara when that vessel reached Melbourne. He was travelling under an assumed name, but when apprehended admitted he was Thomas. On being searched he was found to possess L7OO in notes and gold, and a six-chambered loaded revolver. He was arrested upon a provisional warrant for having obtained L7OOO from Robert James McKenzie, broker, by means of false pretences. He was brought before the Williamstown Police Court and remanded for a week, so that an officer from the Sydney Police might go to Melbourne. At the Bank lie was credited with being a smart officer of exemplary conduct, and the discovery of his flight anil defalcations came as a great shock. When he left the Hank after lunch on the 29th, ostensibly | for a fewflminutes only, there was not the least suspicion of anything being wrong, but as he had not returned to hia post at half-past three o'clock, the accountant instituted some enquiries as to why he had gone out. Learning, however, that Thomas had complained of being ill, he took no further action for an hour. He then notified the manager. Inquiries were immediately made at the missing man's lodgings in Victoria-street. The Bank officials then learnt that about 3 o'clock he had driven home in a cab, seized his Gladstone bag, and departed again with the cab in great haste. His cash was then checked, and a deficiency of L 13,454 discovered. It was known that the absconder had dealt largely with several mining brokers, and these gentlemen were questioned regarding his transactions. As a result, scrip to the value of L7OO was discovered. When the fact of Thomas' disappearance was notified to the police, telegrams were forwarded to the police of all the neighboring colonies describing the man and the nature of the charges made against him. Detective Hoskinson was one of those entrusted with the case, and by his agency the cabman who drove Thomas from his residence was discovered. The cabman informed the detectives that ho had driven Thomas to Messrs Howard Smith and Co's wharf, and as the steamer Konoowarra had left from that place shortly afterwards, it was considered certain that tho fugitive was on board the vessel. A telegram to that effect was sent to Melbourne, with the result stated cibove.