THEFTS CHARGED

Evening Star, Issue 20255, 16 August 1929, Page 2

THEFTS CHARGED

GOVERNMENT OFFICERS IN COURT [Psk United Press Association.! AUCKLAND, August 15. In the Police Court two Government officials serving in different departments were charged with theft. Harold James Henry Smith, ageci thirty-eight, a postal clerk,' pleaded guilty to stealing a letter containing four £1 notes and a postal note for ss, and on August 8 a postal packet containing £2 10s in money. In a statement to the police accused attribute his lapse to sudden temptatior?,' prompted by having some house bills to pay. Accused was committed to the Supreme- Court for sentence, bail being allowed A man, aged forty-seven, employed as a clerk by the Railway Department (whose name was suppressed), • was charged with stealing £163 from the booking office. W. Thomson, assistant static, master at Auckland, said accused was booking clerk, and in charge up till July 1 last, when witness carried oik the usual audit and discovered a cash deficit of £167 5s 4d, Accused explained that he t00k.£163 on June 28, and asked I that the matter bo - overlooked, and he would replace the money next day. The money he took was foi an urgent payment. His wife ban money, and he thought he could ar‘ range it. On July 2 he duly refunded the money he had undertaken to do. There was no evidence of any falsification of the books and no evidence oi steps to cover up the shortage. Everything else was found in correct order, as a subsequent audit amplified. On July 5 accused volunteered a written and signed statement. Accused had served thirty years with the depart merit, and his salary was £3BO per year. Replying to counsel for accused, witness said he had known accused for twenty years. Accused had been in the book mg job for two years, and his service had been satisfactory, his books being all well kept. Accused said when the sum was missed that he had money, and could replace it at once.

Accused, who pleaded not guilty, re served his defence, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed—self of £2OO and one surety of £2OO.