PUBLIC FUNDS STOLEN

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 131, 27 February 1929, Page 3

PUBLIC FUNDS STOLEN

SENTENCES AT HAMILTON By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, February 26. In the Supreme Court at Hamilton tvo similar eases of public servants accused of misappropriations were heard.

Charles James, for failing to account for £251 to the Public Works Office, Taumarunui, was sentenced to reformative treatment not exceeding a year. Counsel pleaded for leniency, prisoner having made a clean breast and having an aged mother to support. Prisoner offered to make restitution. His Honour, Mr. Justice Blair, said he would like tb admit accused to probation, but there were too many such cases. The second case was that of Colin Spalding Walker, lately assistant-town clerk at Rotorua. He was admitted to probation for three years on the usual conditions, and on paying the costs of the prosecution. The Judge considered the case exceptional. The evidence showed the defalcations over a short period only. Walker made a complete revelation of the facts. Apparently he had acted under duress. Counsel had stated that a woman had blackmailed Walker,, knowing him to be w’ell connected.