THEFT OF MONEY

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 36, 11 August 1921, Page 8

THEFT OF MONEY

POSTAL EMPLOYEE'S, LAPSE.

The disappearance of a sum of money paid into. the Lower Hutt Post, Office was responsible for the appearance of William Gordon Downes before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., yesterday afternoon. Downes was charged with receiving £.15 Os, lid from Henry Burgess on terms requiring him to pay it to the Post and Telegraph Department and failing to do so. Mr. A; B. Sievwright appeared for the accused. ' The evidence was to the effect . that Downes had been employed in the Post and Telegraph Department for twenty years, and recently i had been stationed at Lower.Hutt. Oh 6th June Burgess paid Downes £15- at the Lower Hutt Post Office, that amount being due by him to the Advances to Settlers Department.- The payment was made abont 7.5 p.m. Accused protested that the money should have been paid beforo 4 p.m., btit Burgess - begged him to take the money, as it was due that day, and he did not want to lose the rebate. The money was accepted, bat had hot been received by the State Advances Department. Downegj in.evidence, said he remembered the incident, but could not recollect actually receiving ' the money, or what had become of it if he did receive it. He certainly/had no intention of stealing the money. "I cannot accept the accused's statement; I must • convict him," said Mr.) Hunt; in deciding the matter this morning. The Magistrate added tfiat his opinion was that Downes was financially pressed, and used part of' the money and found himself unable to replace it. It was ' felt that misappropriation of money by Civil servants miist be dealt with drastically, but as this theft was apparently committed on the spur of the moment,* and taking into consideration the circumstances, Mr. Hunt | thought he was justified, particularly as Downes had now left the service, in putting him on probation. Accused would be put on probation for two year 3, provided he made restitution. .■■■■•■''. Mr. Sievwright: ''Restitution will be made forthwith."