THEFT FROM HARBOUR BOARD

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 70, 15 December 1928, Page 6

THEFT FROM HARBOUR BOARD

QLERK GRANTED PROBATION. Ashton George Edwards, a clerk, aged 41, who had been in the employ of the Wellington Harbour Board for’ 2S years and then began to steal the board’s money until he was involved to the extent of £127, appeared before Mr. Justice Macgregor for sentence in the Supreme Court yesterday. Mr. A. J. Mazengarb, who represented the prisoner, asked for leniency. Although his client had committed theft as a servant lie had at various times occupied important positions with the board, looking after large sums of money. He had always carried out his duties faithfully, but this year he had been called upon to find a. large sum of money towards paying medical expenses incurred through a relative's illness. This was responsible for him commencing to take the board’s money. There had been no falsification of the books, ano the prisoner had made a complete confession on being questioned. Restitution had also been made. Edwards, who was stated by His Honour to have a previous good record, was placed on probation for a term of three years. He was ordered to take out a prohibition order and to pay £1 Is., the costs of the prosecution.