Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    QSR1883/2/5/2/a
  • Title
    Depositions of Joseph Arnold, builder of 28 Clarendon Square, St Pancras, Arthur Firth, accountant of Lewisham, Albert Scoles, dealer in building material of Haverstock Hill, Aubrey James Collier, bankers clerk of Leighton Buzzard, Frederick Charles Collins, wine merchant of Linslade, John Hind Newberry, clerk of Clapton, Edward Ransom, bankers clerk of Leighton Buzzard. In the case of George Arnold accused of embezzling a sum in excess of £50 in the name of a co-partnership of which he was a member.
  • Date free text
    13 February 1883
  • Production date
    From: 1883 To: 1883
  • Scope and Content
    Joseph Arnold: a builder and brother of the defendant. On 25 January 1881 they entered a Deed of Partnership, with their other brother John Alfred. He witnessed his brother sign the deed. By the deed his brother George was made manager of the sand pits. He was to reserve sixpence per ton upon all silver sand sold, to be paid to him weekly before net profits were ascertained. It was never to be less than a pound a week. George was also to pay all monies to the London and County Bank at Leighton Buzzard. Up to October 1882 he had only received £5 from his brother and that was for travelling expenses. He had not received an account from him of what he had received on behalf of the partnership, despite making several applications. In consequence he took over the books of the partnership, finding them in the partnership office and taking possession of them. He found in the sale books approx 35 to 40 tons of sand were sold a week. The profits on the business would be about £400 per annum. He handed the books to Mr Firth. [cross examination] he had nothing to do with the account beyond signing cheques. He had not suggested to John Alfred that they get rid of George and continue the business without him. He use to come every 6 weeks or so to see the day books. In 1881 he had borrowed money off George but paid it back. He consulted his solicitor in April 1882 about dissolving the partnership. An accountant examined the books in May 1882 but the examination came to nothing. Arthur Firth: an accountant living in Brook Bank Road in Lewisham. He received the books on 17 October. The day book and Invoice book ought to correspond. There was no cash book or ledger. From the books he concluded that between 1 January 1881 and 16 September 1882, there was a discrepancy of £172 18s 11d. He sent bills out to those customers in the books, to be advised by them they had already paid and receipts supplied. He had been an accountant since he was a boy and had also been in the iron trade. George Arnold had not seen his figures. Albert Scoles: a dealer in building material residing in Haverstock Hill. The bill produced was the account he received from Messrs Arnold for £13 0s 5d. The cheque produced is what he sent in payment. Aubrey James Collier: clerk in the employ of Bassett Bank in Leighton Buzzard. FC Collins has an account there and on 9 December he cashed a cheque for £13 0s 5d signed by Scoles. Frederick Charles Collins: a wine merchant of Linslade. He received a cheque for £13 0s 5d from George Arnold. He had often taken cheques from him and given him cash for it. He said that his brothers had omitted to send him money to pay the labourers. John Hind Newberry: a clerk at Messrs Low & Co nurserymen in Clapton. In October he recived notice from MR Firth of a sum owing to Arnold & Co. The sum was £20 0s 6d. It was not owing. He had not paid Arnold the sum of £20 0s 6d but paid him £40 6s 6d. Edward Ransom: a clerk for the London & County Bank in Leighton Buzzard. He produced a copy of their ledger if Messrs Arnolds account. There were no entries for £13 0s 5d or £17 8s. Statement of the accused: not guilty.
  • Exent
    12 pages
  • Level of description
    item
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