CLERK IN TROUBLE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143773, 23 April 1912, Page 3

CLERK IN TROUBLE.

ALLEGED SYSTEMATIC FRAUD. Fer Frees Association. DUNEDIN, April 22. At the city Police Court to-day Frederick Percy Evans, a clerk, formerly in the employ of the city corporation, was charged on five informations with appropriating the corporation’s funds. The first charge was that accused had made false entries in the account book in connection with an account of Lanaham Bros., with intent to defraud. Counsel for the prosecution stated that accused had been in the service of the city corporation for over twenty years, and was ultimately appointed desk in charge of the .gas department. 'Counsel said Lanaham Bros, paid £99 Os 6d, but accused credited the firm with only £69 Os 6d, the balance being credited to an old account, of which no one knew anything about. When Mr. Lanaham was sent for, an extraordinary course of falsifying accounts was revealed. Deficiencies were shown, making up the old account, and accused admitted that he had misappropriated the money. He was suspended, and afterwards dismissed. The second charge also related to Lanahams, and was in connection with the foregoing* accused forging and uttering a voucher in February last. Lanaham sent a debit note to the corporation for £4 5s 2d, but the voucher was altered by accused substituting the name of Bishop (an ex-employee of Lanaham Bros.) for Lanaham, and altering the amount to £5 8s 2d. The voucher was receipted by the signature “W. Bishop,” but the writing, counsel understood, was sworn to be that of acused. The next case had reference to Manley and Co., the charge being one of having stolen a cheque for £lO received from Manley in December, 1905, which was paid into the account of A. Moss, then a well-known bookmaker. Evans’ endorsement was upon the cheque. The next charge was one of falsifying the books. In Manley’s case the account from June, 1910, to July, 1911, had been properly charged by Evans and properly paid by Manley, but the amounts paid by Manley were larger than the amovnts charged against him in the books, the balances having been put to the credit of Manley’s earlier accounts in order to cover defalcations. Accused was further charged with making false entries in relation to the account of W. B. Mauley and Co.

Evidence was given in support of. all the charges, and accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial. Bail was allowed accused, £3OO on the first charge and two sureties of £l5O each, with accused’s own recognisances of £3OO on the other charges.