RAILWAY CLERK CHARGED

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1929, Page 9

RAILWAY CLERK CHARGED

ALLEGED THEFT OF £l6B. By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland, Last Night. A man aged 47 employed as a clerk by the Railway Department (whose name was suppressed), was charged with stealing £l6B from a booking office. Thompson, assistant stationmaster at Auckland, said the accused was a booking clerk and was in charge up till July 1, when witness carried out the usual audit and discovered a cash deficit of £.167 5s 4d. Accused explained that he took £l6B on Juno 28 and asked that the matter be overlooked and ho would • replace the money next day. The money he took was for urgent payment. His wife had money and he thought he could arrange it. On Julj 2he refunded the money. There was no evidence of any falsification of the books and no evidence of steps to cover up the shortage. Everything else was found in correct order as a subsequent audit showed. Accused volunteered a written, signed statement at the time. He had served 30 years with the department and his salary was £3BO per year. Replying to counsel for the accused witness said he had known accused 29 years. Accused had been in the booking job for two years and his service had been satisfactory, his books being all well kept. Accused said when the sum was missed that Im had the money and could replace it at once. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence and was committed i to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in his own surety of £2OO ' and one of £2OO.