CIVIL SERVANT CHARGED

Evening Star, Issue 25172, 11 May 1944, Page 8

CIVIL SERVANT CHARGED

THEFTS FRO!® GOVERNMENT ALLEGED ABETTOR OF MAN SERVING SENTENCE (P.A.) OHRISTCHUIROH, May 10. Angus Cameron Macfurlanej aged 44, formerly a Civil servant in the Ministry of Supply, which has been part of the Department of industry and Commerce 6ince the outbreak of war, appeared before Mr Justice Northcroft and a jury in the Supreme Court to-day charged with theft. The Crown's case had not concluded when the court adjourned in the afternoon, and further evidence will be heard to-morrow morning. Alacfarlanc, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Air F. D. Sargent. Mr A. W. Brown conducted the Crown's case. There were six charges against Macfarlane of stealing sums, the property of the Xew Zealand Government. It was alleged that he had stolen £-2.5 14s Id on April 29. 1943, £9l 8s lOd on May 24, £59 19s on June 3, £2l 3s on July 22, £ll7 10s on August 23, and £2 3s Cd on September 2. Mr Brown, opening for the Crown, said that Alacfarlane had been employed as a clerk in the Ministry of Supply from 1942 until he was suspended towards the end of last year. During the period .of his employment the officer in charge was C. S. Sapsford, and the, accused had been closely associated witli him. It was discovered last year that fairly large sums of money had been stolen from the Government, and Sapsford admitted that lie had stolen from time to time, "with the result that he had been brought to trial and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment with hard labour, and was now serving his sentence.

The Crown alleged, Mr Brown said, that Macfarlane had aided and abetted Sapsford in the commission of those offences, that they had worked hand in hand, and that they had shared the proceeds. The ' department, he continued, had been concerned in the importation of various goods into the Dominion with the object of selling them. A certain shipment of wire had been landed in a damaged condition, and the consequence was that it had been rejected by the companies to whom it was to be sold. The wire came iback into the hands of the department and was stored. Instructions were subsequently given from Wellington that it was to be disposed of at the best possible price, and Sapsford was advised accordingly. -It was not to be sold beyond a certain fixed price. Sapsford, it was submitted, had arranged for the sale of the wire, and the counts that had been read to the jury dealt with his actions.

After hearing evidence the court adjourned. t