TWELVE MONTHS IN PRISON.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 279, 23 November 1921, Page 7

TWELVE MONTHS IN PRISON.

TWO DISHONEST EMPLOYEES. AX AUCKLAND CASE. Two prisoners were brought for pen--I>?nco before Mr. Justice Stringer at the Supreme .Court this afternoon. William Leslie Foster (Mr. A."Moody), a former employee of Smith and Caughey. Limited, appeared on charges of stealing and receiving goods valued at £002 8/7.

Mr. Moody saiil the character hitherto was excellent. Jfe had served during the war in the merchant eervico, holdin<; officer"* rank. His ship wns torpedoed ofF the Spnnish coast. Prisoner hail undoubtedly been under the influence of another person and hud only benefited to the extent of about £12 out of the' transaction. Counsel suggested n term of imprisonment rather than v. period of detentiou. His Honor sail the ease was a painful one. Prisoner had ha<l a Jjood salary. and occupied a position of trust, but had systematically defrauded hie employer. The sentence would twelve months' imprisonment. A TOWN CLERK'S WRONG DO IXO. Albert Edward Marwick, formerly town clerk of Wliangarci, also came up for senbnece on charges of failing to account for several sumo of money agS£n*£ating al>ont £i) 00, the property of the WJvngan'i Borough Council, and the Whangarci .branch of the Patriotic Association. ' ' Mr. Singer, for the accused, said full rentitution had been made. His HoTior said he hud earefullv and indeed anxiously considered the case, and he could not do anything else tlnin impose an exemplary punishment on the accused. Judges, except in very special circumstances, imposed se-vere sentences on men who had systematically abused trust imposed in them. He had consulted ' with Mr. Justice Horclman, who agreed .with him in the course lie proposed to take. Sentoncp of 12 months' imprisonment, which his Honor said was really a lenient one, was imposed.