TOWN CLERK'S LAPSE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 74, 24 September 1936, Page 10

TOWN CLERK'S LAPSE

THEFT OF £390

STRESS OF WIFE'S ILLNESS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, This Day. The Town Clerk of Glen Eden, Cecil Richard Wilkinson, aged 36, appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., today, charged with theft of money totalling £390.

Wallace Spencer Thorpe, Government auditor, said he paid a visit of inspection to the Town Board office on Tuesday. The accused said there would be a shortage of over £300. With the assistance of the accused he discovered a deficiency of £390.

Replying to Mr. Bryce Hart, who appeared for the accused, the witness said that apart from this lapse he had always found the accused a very efficient officer. He understood that the accused was receiving £5 a week. There was no safe in the office, and the clerk had often to take money home.

Detective Wilson said that the accused, in a statement, said he had been clerk for three and a half years. As a result of his wife's sickness he commenced to use money belonging to the board. Later he resorted to gambling on races, hoping to retrieve his position.

The accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was allowed in the sum of £100. In applying for it Mr, Hart said that the accused's wife had been in hospital for fourteen months.