RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1900, 6 June 1889, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Geraldine—Tuesday, June 4, 1889. [Before Rev. G., Barclay, and H. W. Moore, Baq., J.P:’s,] EMBEZZLEMENT. William Heyward, aged 66, was charged with having on the previous Saturday embezzled the sum of 19s, belonging to his employer, James Gaby. Accused, who was undefended, pleaded “guilty,” but urged in mitigation of the offence that Gaby had promised him week after week to pay him his wages, but had not done so, and he (accused) thought he could use some of the money received, and square up with Gaby when he received his wages. He further stated he used only a part of the 19s, and left the remainder in his trousers pocket on his bed at Gaby’s, where he was staying. When he returned home the money was gone from his pockets. The statement for the prosecution was that the accused on Saturday last received from Mrs Finch the sum of £1 in settlement of an account for 19s. He was to bring the Is change and the receipt on the following day. He did not do so. On the Monday Gaby’s daughter was present when the receipt and change were asked for, but were not forthcoming, and she told her father of the money and receipt being mentioned, with the result that Gaby went immediately and laid an information for embezzlement. There was a further sum of 8s to be accounted for. After consideration the Bench decided to deal with accused under the First Offenders’ Act, and placed him on probation for three months, provided the 19s and other amounts owing to Gaby, with the costs of court, bo paid before Wednesday next at four o’clock, otherwise he must go to gaol for three months. Accused said he had no means of earning the money before then. He was advised to endeavor to recover his wages from Gaby before Wednesday next, when he would be in a position to pay. The court then adjourned.