PITIFUL CASE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 245, 17 July 1928, Page 12

PITIFUL CASE

BRILLIANT SCHOLAR’S ’ THEFTS. Dominion Spectat Service. Dunedin, July 16. A man, twenty years of age, described as a brilliant scholar and an exceptionally able officer-.in the employ of the Public Trust Office, appeared in the -Magistrate’s Court to answer two charges of theft. Accused pleaded guilty to on or about March 15, 1927, at Dunedin, stealing £3 55., the property of the New Zealand Government, a : on or about April 3, 1927, stealing the sum of 10s. • The young man had been suspended from the Public Trust Office, said Chief-Detective Cameron, and would be dismissed as a result of the charges. Accused could liave been charged with forgery, but it had been-agreed that His Worship could deal adequately with him. Accused had been in the Department for three years and one month, and apart from this lapse his conduct had been quite satisfactory. Mr. Hay, for accused, said the charges were in a. way tragic. Accused was born in Dunedin, and his people were highly respectable. Accused had had a most brilliant scholastic career at the Otago Boys’ High School' and elsewhere. Publication of his career, however, would- give a clue to his identity. Probably no other boy in Dunedin, had had a more brilliant scholastic career, but that record was probably now lost. Mr. Hay suggested that His Worship should exercise the powers of the Probation Act. On the charge of the theft of. £3 55., accused was admited to probation for two years. On the other charge he was convict. I only. An application for the suppression of accused’s name was granted.