QSR1886/4/5/4

Depositions of Thomas George Turner of Henlow and William Scott of Clifton. In the case of Thomas Taylor accused of being a bailee of the sum of £117, the monies of the Trustees of Court Alexandra No. 4287 of the Ancient order of Foresters Friendly Society, and fraudulently stealing the same monies.

25 August 1886

From: 1886 To: 1886

Thomas George Turner: a secretary of the Court of Alexandra. In February 1885 the prisoner was secretary. George Ashby Wootton, William Scott and Frederick Hare were trustees. Turner was present at a Court on 2 February 1885 and Taylor was present. At the meeting the prisoner was requested to invest a portion of the funds in Great Northern debenture stock. The prisoner said he knew a broker and he would invest through that broker. Turner produced the sick and funeral fund book in which an entry in the prisoners hand showed “G.N debentures £117” on 22 March 1886. On another page there was an entry in the prisoner’s hand of “Interest on G.N. debenture stock before investment £1 2s 6d” dated December 1885. Turner had not received a Great Northern debenture bond from the prisoner. When asked for it Taylor initially said that the broker had mistakenly invested it in his own name and that he would rectify it on his trip to London. This conversation was on the 3 May and Taylor was asked why he had not previously mentioned it. Taylor did not reply. [cross examination] in the February meeting the prisoner was not told what price he was to give for the debenture. Taylor said £117 had been withdrawn and placed with his broker. He had not heard Taylor say this was not enough and Taylor never gave the name of the broker. William Scott: a trustee of the Alexandra society. He was able to produce a financial statement for 1885 prepared by Thomas Taylor dated 22 March 1886. By the order of the Court, Scott signed a receipt which was given to Thomas Taylor to invest in Great Northern debentures. He applied to Taylor several times for the debenture but did not receive the bonds for £117. When he signed the receipt, he supposed the price of the one to be £117. He was not at the Court in February but attended in May or June. He had no knowledge of Taylor saying the debentures had gone up in price and he was told to wait until the price dropped. He was present at Court when the prisoner was asked to present the debenture. Taylor told the Court he was sorry but there had been a mistake and the broker had made it out in his name instead of the trustees. That was in May 1886. Lucy Elizabeth Clarke: postmistress at Shefford and in March 1885 her husband was postmaster. She assisted him. On 18 March 1886 she cashed a warrant for £117 which was handed to the prisoner in notes. She saw the entry in the Savings Bank Cash book of the Alexandra Society withdrawing the £117 signed by her husband. Statement of the accused: he reserved his defence.

8 pages

item

Taylor, Thomas,
Turner, Thomas George,
Scott, William,
Clarke, Lucy Elizabeth

SHEFFORD, CLIFTON, HENLOW, Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society, brokers, postmistress