TOWN CLERK'S THEFT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 119, 21 May 1914, Page 8

TOWN CLERK'S THEFT

CASE OF THE TAIHAPE OFFICIAL SENTENCE 6£ NINE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. (BY IKLIIGRAI'H— SPECIAL TO THE POST.I PALMERSTQN N., This Day. The hearing of tho charge of theft against George Sutherland, town clerk at Taihape. was, continued yesterday afternoon. Accused stated he had been town clerk since 1906, arid during the last two years had been in receipt of £300 per annum. Till 1909 he had all the work of the office to transact. The work had vastly increased of lote. In addition to office duties he was supervising engineer of several borough works, returning officer, and prepared the electoral roll, lie was three parts of his time out of the office. He had asked the council twice for assistance and was refused. He knew on one occasion that the books did not balance within £70, and he borrowed £50 to make up the delicieiicy. His books were behind as he could not give them proper attention. He frequently received mcJhey in the street, but could give no reason as to what caused the deficiency. He did not compare the receipts with amounts he banked. He bad at various times paid money out of his own pocket to make up a deficiency. The Chief Justice summed up strongly against accused. He said accused was responsible for the cash of the corporation and that cash was short to the extent of £352 18s, as shown by the receipts. Accused said he did not take the money, but it must have been taken by some other officials. If there had been stealing it was not to be supposed for a- moment that they had a large sum like £352 jin the cash box at ono time, and that if ,a theft like that had takeri place thero would havo been nothing to say about il at the time. There was no evidence that the staff stole the money, and they had, therefore, to look to the town clerk, who was responsible for the cash. According to his own admission, on 6th February tho cash was £70 short. Accused should have reported the matter to the corporation when he found the money miss' ins instead of borrowing £50 and using other cheques of the^ corporation to square the deficiency. Accused was found guilty on six charges of theft and not guilty on the seventh. Sentence was deferred till this morning. To-day Sutherland wa3 sentenced to nine months' imprisonment.