“MOST EXTRAORDINARY"

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 210, 1 June 1926, Page 3

“MOST EXTRAORDINARY"

THEFT FROM LOCAL BODY A DISHONEST CLERK EMPLOYED The fact that the Taihape' Borough Council employed a clerk who had previously been dismissed from his employment for embezzlement was commented upon as being most extraordinary by Air. Justice Reed in the Supreme Court yesterday. The case was that in which Joseph Wham (aged 42), appeared for sentence on a charge of fraudulently converting the sum of £97 14s. lid.'to his own use, the property of the Taihape Borough Council. Mr. T. C. Kincaid, who appeared for accused, said that the case was very sad, but nevertheless, serious. In the first place, the money taken had been refunded.

His Honour: Not by the prisoner. I understand it was refunded by his friends Nir. Kincaid: Of course, the fact that the money has been refunded docs not make the crime less serious, but I would like to point out that nobody has suffered. Furthermore, this unfortunate man has a wife and five children. ... His Honour: 1 can’t take that into consideration. In these sort of cases innocent people are the sufferers. Mr. Kincaid: If the prisoner is sent to gaol, Your Honour, his wife and family will suffer most. The reason why he committed the offence was that he mixed with triends who lived more expensively than be could. Consequently he stole in order to keep the pace. He has learnt his lesson, and it will remain with him for the rest of his life. His Honour: Does he dispute the fact that he was dismissed from his last employment for dishonesty ? "No, I don’t think so,” replied Mr. Kincaid. Continuing, counsel said that his client had already suffered very heavy punishment in the loss of the esteem of his fellow-citizens. “He has been a man,” added Mr. Kincaid, “who has been very popular throughout his life. He has had many friends. . . . I am going to ask Your Honour _ to admit him to probation. I am thinking more of his wife and family when I say that.” Evidence was called by counsel as to prisoner’s previous good character. “In cases of this kind the circumstances require to be unusual _ where probation is granted,” said His Honour “In your case, prisoner, I can see no grounds for granting probation. You actually left one place after embezzling money, and then started again while in the employ of the Taihape Borough Council. You will be ordered to be detained for reformative purposes for a period not exceeding twelve months.” “I can’t understand why the local bodv did not look into his testimonials,” observed His Honour, after recording the sentence. Mr P. S. K. Macassey (Crown Solicitor) : It does' seem curious. His Honour: Most extraordinary!