The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-10-28
Both the Police
Court Employ
es Are Held on
Charges Of En-
beZZIement.
(From Wednesdays Advertlser)

II. NJ. Dow, chief clerk in the office
of High Sheriff Brown for many year.
and Harry {. Mossman, chief clerk in
the office of Deputy High Sheriff Chill
lingworth, were both placed under arrest
last night on charges OF embezzlement
of public moneys entrusted to their care.
In the case OF Mr.. Dow he is charged
with the embezzlement OF the sum of
S572 alleged to be bail money which he
loaned to police officers at high interest.
Mr.. Mossman is charged with the en-
bezzlement of the sum OF S455.4o, his
books allegedly showing payments OF
various bills, especially the newspaper
offices, where none had been made.
The arrest of Mr.. Mossman came
first, at about 10 o'clock. By that time
the auditor had completed his work OF
investigating the accounts of the Deputy
High Sheriff's office under the olo
regime. After considerable discussion,
in which Attorney General Andrews
took part, with Sheriff Henry and Dep
uty Sheriff Rawlins. the order was given
by the sheriff to have Mr.. Mossman
the arrest, and bail was set at $1,000
which is to be supplied by Mrs. Bertle'
man. Mr.. Mossman at once sent for
Attorney Frank Z. Thompson, who will
handle the case.
The arrest of Mr.. Dow occurred
about midnight at his home. He was
released on his own recognizance. A
long report had been filed by the audi,
tor covering the investigation in the
High Sheriff's Office, showing that the
money received from the Deputy Sher-
ifs Office, including bail money, and
which for the most part, is temporary
money in the possession of the police
department, had been used by Mr.. Dow
for private advances to members of the
police force. This money in connection
with other funds, on Mr.. Dow's own
statement recentlv made public in the
newspapers, drew ten per cent interest
per month. The report of these trans
actions is reported technically in the
Auditors report on the transactions,
published herewith.
In the case of Harry Mossman, more
peculiar developments We're brought to
light yesterday when s610 more cash
was reported to have been found by Mr..
Mossman in addition to the two finds
of the day previous, when 1920 and s474
We're produced, or almost sufficient to
cover deficiencies in the cash account.
When Mr.. Mossman came to the office
yesterday morning to continue work on
his books under the direction of the
Auditor he handed the High Sheriff $6l0
in gold, making the explanation that
this money comprised the remainder of
a tax sale account. He had forgotten
its existence, temporarily, and had TAX
en- IT home with him and left it in his
trousers pockets. He had then trans
home and had neglected to bring ii
down.
The High Sheriff stated yesterday
that he had received the money and
would retain it. This money was not,
however. applied to the shortage which
later turned up and for which Mossman
was arrested. All told, Mr.. Mossman
found sll0i mostly in gold, in various
cubby holes, but not in the safe.
Under the old regime there have been
two custodians of the public funds re-
ceived at the Police station, and 1t is
possible that under the administration
of High Sheriff Henry the two offices
may be consolidated. so that there may
be a simpler system of bookkeeping.
Deputy Sheriff Rawlins stated last
night that he had no one in mind for
the position made vacant by Mr.. Moss
man, but that George Sea would con-
tinue temporarily in charge