POSTMASTER'S THEFT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 202, 27 August 1931, Page 7

POSTMASTER'S THEFT.

UNABLE TO PAY DEBTS. ILLNESSES IN FAMILY. COMMITTED FOE, SENTENCE. Heavily in debt through sickness in his family, Hudson Gilfillan, postmaster at Epsom, aged 46, stole £60 0/9, the property of the Postmaster-General. Gilfillan appeared in the Police Court this morning charged with theft as a Government servant. He pleaded guilty and was sent to the Supreme Court for sentence. Detective-Sergeant Kelly prosecuted, and Mr. S. Cleale appeared for accused. Henry C. Thompson, examiner for the Money Order and Savings Bank at the Chief Post Office, Auckland, said he examined the accounts at the Epsom Post Office, where accused was postmaster. The audit revealed a deficit of £60 0/9. Accused admitted that he had used the amount for domestic purposes.

Stanley Mark Harrison, Chief Postmaster at Auckland, said that up to August 21 accused was postmaster at Epsom. Witness interviewed him regarding irregularities in the cash, and

accused gave a statement to witness in his own handwriting. Previously of High Integrity. To Mr. Cleale: Before this lapse, aecused had a very good reputation and was a man of the highest integrity. From inquiries, I learned there had been sickness in the family. When questioned about the defalcations, accused frankly admitted them and gave every assistance. He has been 30 years in the service and was seven years postmaster at Epsom. His salary was £2(55 10/ a year. Chief-Detective Hammond said he arrested accused on the afternoon of August 21 at the Epsom Post Office. Accused said he had made a statement to the Chief Postmaster giving a true account of the defalcations. He assured witness there were no other defalcations.

Financial Difficulties. Accused, in evidence, said he had a wife and two children, aged 11 and 1:!. His youngest girl had been practically an invalid for seven years. Seven years ago she went into hospital, was there two years, and had been an out-patienr. ever since, with tubes in her throat. About four years ago, owing to the child's sickness, his wife had a nervous breakdown. Owing to the strain, his own health had been undermined and he too had been attended by a doctor. Because of all the sickness he had found that his salary was not sufficient to pay his debts. He had borrowed money from friends and a financial agent. He had intended to repay the stolen money by raising another loan. Fie had given an order to the Chief Postmaster' on his superannuation fund, but in view of what. had happened he was not certain whether he would ger that money. Bail uf £200 was renewed.