| GRAFTON POLICE COURT,
Yesterday, before the P.M.,
Alleged Embezzlement.
Carl Christensen was charged with embezzling the sum of £21 12s 6d, the property of the British Piano Depot. Mr. Pollack appeared for the prosecution, Mr. Bawden for defendant.
Herbert Shortland, chief accountant of the British Piano Depot, stated that defendant was employed by the company to dispose of pianos, receive moneys and instalments. Receipt books were provided showing instructions and detailed statements were to he made by defendant weekly. The amounts received were to be credited to the company in one of the Grafton banks, and remitted to the London Bank of Australia at the head office, Sydney. The receipt books were called in from time to time. These books were numbered, bearing the same numbers on receipts and butts. As the result of certain inquiries made from customers he came to Grafton, and saw defendant. Asked him to produce the receipt books in his possession, and he asked witness what he was here for, selling! Replied, "No, you know what I am here for." Took a list of the receipts issued from the butts since issuing the book from Sydney. Picked up a cash statement from defendant's table, and asked him if it represented last week's cash, and if it went to Sydney. He replied that it had not. Added to his list shortages that he discovered, and the total came to £37 17s 9d. Told him this and said his instructions were to have that paid to him at once, and he said that he could not possibly do it. Asked him the amount of his deficiency so far as he knew and defendant replied about £450, and no more. Asked what was his best offer, and he replied £50 cash, and the balance by p.n's of one month. Said this was no use to him and he offered £150 cash, and the balance at the end of a mouth. Told him he would wire the managing director, Mr. Cooke, the offer made. On receiving a reply next morning he took proceedings. On that morning he again saw defendant and told him that then was a further shortage of £95-£55 from Lollback, Woodford Leigh, and £10 from Vaughan, at Copmanhurst. Asked him what about these two amounts, and he replied he admitted these two amounts. Asked him what amount would cover the balance, and he replied £20 Made further inquiries and found the total deficiencies £596 3s 3d. A number of receipt were produced, showing payment, by clients but the butts bearing the corresponding numbers, represented the receiving of smaller sums, and the cash statements submitted only credited the lesser amounts. In one instance the receipt showed payment of £30, the butt representing £3, the cash statement transmit- ted to the head office also showing £3.
Under cross-examination by Mr. Bawden witness stated that defendant did a good deal of business for the company. He received a commission on sales, and there may be £300 or £400 accruing to him for commission at the present time. Thomas Vaughan, of Apple Tree Flat, deposed to paying defendant £54 15s 6d, on account of plane purchased as per receipt produced. The payment was by cheque.
Sydney H. Smidt, South Grafton, stated that he paid defendant certain amounts on piano, £3 7s 6d, £6 15s, £14, £30, £11 8s. The £14 was a contra account. George John Lollback, of Woodford Leigh and Albert Amos deposed to paying defendant certain moneys, and receiving from him the receipts produced. Sergeant Swan deposed that on searching defendant at the lockup he found on him the sum of £45 2s in cash, and a cheque of the British Piano Co. for £5, drawn in favour of H. Trethowan.
John B. Watt, photographer, engaged by defendant, received moneys for the British Piano Co. He received £6 14s 6d from Mrs. Reilly, and placed the money in the till. Defendant reserved his defence, and was committed to take his trial at the Quarter Sessions, to be held at Grafton on 17th November next, bail allowed, himself in £120, and sureties to a like amount.
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