RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume III, Issue 1676, 18 May 1874, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

: THIS DAT. (Before Jackson Keddell Esq., 8.M.)

EMBEZZLEMENT,

Edward Jones was brought up on remand on a charge of embezzling monies, the property of his employer, John Townsend, on the 23rd April, the sum of £1 2s 2d, and at other times further sums, amounting to £2 9s sd. Mr. Sub-Inspector Bullen slated that on the prisoner's last appearance he had asked for a remand to enable him to make inquiries as to other charges that might be brought against the accused. The prisoner was then charged with having, on the 13th April, embezzled the sum of £1 Is. 61., and on the 23rd £1 9s. 5d., also a sum of 19s. 4d.; and on the 13th of the same month a further sum of £2 10s., the property of his master, John Townsend.

Mr Bullen prosecuted on behalf of the police. M, A. Dunstan, sworn, said~Mr Townsend has supplied me with, meat for nearly two years* I know the accused, Jones. He was in the omploy of Mr Townsend and used to deliver meat at my house. The account now shown me was paid. I had it from Jones. The account is for £1 Is. s|d. I paid £1 Is. on account. I cannot remember the exact date 1 It is about a month ago. At the time I paid him the money I cannot recollect whether the writing now on the bill was on it when the accused brought it to me. I still continued to deal with Mr. Townsend, and another account was 'given me on the 4th May for 16s. 4d. The accused receipted the bill when I paid him the money.. ■■. ' J '•...; -~ :.; 'x ■ ■ Accused decliaed putting any question to the witness.

Madora Williams, sworn, said—l live at Grahamitown.- I know Mr Townsend JLdeal with him for meat. I also know fl»~ijfccused Jones; he served me with meat for Mr Townsend. I always paid

since I received a bill from the accused; I know I owed Mr Townshend £4 or £5, and paid £2 on account to the accused. When I paid the accused the money, he put the bill in hi 3 pocket, and brought it back the following Monday. I do not remember his saying anything. I did not open it, but put it in my pocket. Mr Townsend came" last Monday, when he presented me with another account for, a larger sum than I owed; the £2 10s 1 had paid the lad, had not been deducted. The accused declined questioning this witness.

John Townsend, sworn,deposed.—lam a butcher in Grahamstown The accused has been in my employ the last 18 months ; his pay was £l"per week, and board; his duty was to get orders, and deliver meat to the customers ; and take money when offered him on any account, which it was his duty to enter iv the day book, and then handit to me. Iknow the first witness, hex bill is delivered every fortnight. There is no entr, in the cash book of accused having received the sum of £1 Is s£d. The bill produced for 19s 4d is in the prisoner's hand-writing, and purports that that amount was owing; me by Mrs Dunsfcan. It was not the accused's duty to make out accounts for the customers. I know Mrs Williams, the last witness, she is a customer of mine. I went to her residence and presented her with an account of £'5 3s 9|d. Mrs Williams objected to pay the amount. I have not received any money from the accused on account of that bill, neither is there any entry in my cash book as to money having been paid after these accounts were made out. When Mrs Williams produced a previous bill it did not bear any receipt on it. ,

The accused asked witness if he would swear that he (accused) had not handed him money from Mrs "Williams during April. The witness said he had not, neither had he given him any money on account of the Dunstans. His Worship asked the prisoner if he had anything to say that he should not be committed. • . The accused said he would like to have a remand, till to-morrow to enable him to get counsel, also that Mr. Town send might produce his books. He had paid the money to Mr. Townsend, and the bookß if produced would show. His Worship said he could not grant prisoner's requests, it was made too late. Accused further said he had paid money in on Mrs. Williams' account in April, and on Mrs, Dunstan's in May. In answer to the first charge prisoner said I am guilty of taking my master's money, but not with the intention of stealing it, but had the misfortune to lose one pound that' had been paid me. An acquaintance came to me and asked me for '^ihe loan of some money. I told him how I was situated, that I was a pound short in my accounts. He said it did not matter, he would pay me back on the Monday morning. He also told me he would give me a pound to replace the one I had lost. I saw him again on Wednesday evening, and asked him-for.; what I had lent him. He said he had not got it yet, but would give it to me next day. Instead of giving it to me he came to Mr TownsendY shop while Mr Townsend was away and induced me to go with him in a craft. I repeatedly asked him for the money and he said he would make it all right with' the Captain for the money I had lent him. Mr Townsend owes me 30s for wages, and the actual deficiency is 12s. The prisoner was committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court in Auckland. There were other charges against the prisoner which were not proceeded with. STBAY CATTLB. Frederick Cassin was charged with riding a horse across the footpath in Pol-len-street. Defendant said he did ride across the path, but; it was to get at private property. Mr Bullen proved the offence. Defendant was fined JOs and costs. ■ ' ■''. ■■ ■ UNCtEAW PEEMISBS. * \ ' "' ■ ■ Benjamin Greenwood was charged with neglecting to clean his premises in Pollen street. Defendant pleaded .guilty, but said that the nuisance complained of arose in consequence of the nature of his business as a potatoe dealer, and if he was fined ho would have.to give up business. Constable Grace, sworn, said that the nuisance was causediby. a; .piggery in the defendant's yard, which was very unclean. Fined 10s and costs.! ::--. ■ '}:.), ■: NUISANCE. . ' : ' Hugh Daviesi was charged with unlaw-; • fully neglecting to • clean-his premises in Davy-street Grahamstown on the 14th ' May. Defendant guilty, j Fined 10s and costs. .... ; . DEtXNKENESS. , . ; William Harper was charged with being drunk and incapable in Pollen-. street, Shorland. ■ Defendant pleaded guilty. His Worship remarked that there were; several previous convictions against accused. Fined 20s or 48 hours'. The Court adjourned. ■