A STRANGE LAPSE

Evening Star, Issue 19919, 16 July 1928, Page 6

A STRANGE LAPSE

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICER’S THEFTS BRILLIANT SCHOLAR AND EXCEPTIONALLY ABLE A •brilliant scholar and an exceptionally able officer, a young man employed in tho Public Trust Office, appeared in the Police Court, before Air H W. Bundle, S.M., to-day on two charges of theft Tho case was described by Mr-W. G. Hay as being a tragic one, as his scholastic career, which had probably not been excelled in Dunedin, would bo ruined by his breaches of trust. Accused pleaded guilty to, on or about March 15, 2027, at Dunedin, stealing £3 ss, tho property of tho Now Zealand Government, and on or about April 3, 1027, stealing the sum of Ilia.

Chiof-deteclive Cameron outlined tho facts of the thefts. Accused’s duty was to receive money from the cashier of the Public Trust Office to pay over to tho District Land Registrar for tho search of the certificate of titles of laud, which had come under the control of the Public Trustee. It was customary for accused to get sufficient money to pay stamp and other duties from the cashier, who was given an 1.0.11., which, for the purpose of keeping the books' in order, was retained till accused handed in tb«» receipt. In connection with the second charge, accused had been given -Is to search a title- Tho receipt was given for 4s, but accused had altered the amount to read 14s. When redeeming tho 1.0. XL for 4s, accused had received an additional 10s, which he, had misappropriated. Ho had obtained £3 5s by u similar method, saying that the money was required to bring the land under tho Land Transfer Act. The voucher was handed to another officer of the Publii), Trust to balance the money received from tho cashier. About that time the Public Trust made arrangements with the-Lands Department to issue receipts lor all money passed. Some old receipts were 'being used, and, to save time, figures wore used for the amounts. The system had since been altered, and written receipts wore now given to prevent forgeries and alterations

The young man (uid been suspended from the Public Trust Office, .said Chief-dctectivc Cameron, _ and would bo dismissed as a result of the charges. Accused could have been charged with forgerv, but it had 'been agreed that His Worship could deal adequately with him. Accused hud been in Dig department for throe years and one month, and apart from this lapse 'his conduct had been quite satisfactory. Mr Hay said the charges were in a way tragic. Accused was born in Dunedin, and his people were highly respectable. Accused had had a most brilliant scholastic career at the Otago Boys’ High School and elsewhere; publication of his career, however, would give a duo to his identity. Probably in other hoy in Dunedin had had a more brilliant scholastic career. But that record was probably now lost. Mr Hay suggested that His W orship should exercise the powers of the Probation Act. The voting man would probably never make another appearance in fourt.

“Jt is almost incomprehensible that a young man of Ids age, intelligence, breeding, and anteeedeiilsshould commit such an offence,” said Air Hay. The lad’s wages were quite amide (1)115), yet he was guilty of petty peculations. He had to pay his board at home. , “What was this money taken for." asked tlie Alagistruto. Accused: 1 was extremely pushed lor money at that time. Ine sum of £d 15s would, have cleared me. It was an account lor which the money was wanted Ohief-dolcctivc Cameron said that oi the 30,000 vouchers audited by the inspector, only one for £3 5s was mission. However, accused maintained that luTbad nothing to do with the disappearance of the voucher. “Surely you knew the elementary rules of honesty, mid that you wore not justified in taking the money,” remarked the Magistrate to accused, who replied; “It was done on the impulse, and 1 was unable to cover, it up.” Mr Hay said accused had 8s left alter paving his board. The Magistrate; Some hoys have less. , ,„ Air Hay: In my day hall a crown would have done me. Air Cameron: And yon would have been lucky to have got that. The Rev. V. G. Bryan King said accused was stated to have been trustworthy, and of exceptional ability, for which he was promoted to tlio Chrislchureh office. His home life was all that could bo desired. On the charge of the theft, ol £3 os nee-used was admitted to probation foi one year. On the other charge lie was convicted only. Air Hay asked fur tlio suppression of the name. Publication would ruin any chance ol accused rehabilitating himself. . , • , , “ One must consider tlio important factor that this man was in the public sendee,” refilled the Magistrate. ‘1 have some doubt about ordering suppression of his name. However, ho_ is only twenty years of age. Publication will bo suppressed, and the probation will be extended lo two years. The probation officer must supply particulars of Die charges to any person by whom accused is employed.”