PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1939, Page 12

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

LAX METHODS CRITICISED. [FEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, August 23. If the statements made by counsel were correct, it is time that things in the Public Works Department were straightened up, solid Mr Stout, S- •> after Mr C. J. O’Regan, who appeared for Wiiilam Walter Gordon, had described how smalls left over from jobs were frequently not returned to tne supply stores. T Gordon, 28, a carpenter, pleaded guilty to the theft at Fordell, in March, of about 1900 square feetof building paper, valued at He was sentenced to a months haiu labour. The police stated that the papei was left over from paper given to accused, to line single and married men’s quarters. He sold 1500 feet at Petone for £2. When inquiries were made, it was found thalt 100 feet had been used. Accused was stated to have been before the Supreme Court on May 16, for theft of union funds, and it was while-he was out on bail that this particular offence occurred. Mr O’Regan said that the facts as outlined required some ataiplification. Acused genuinely believed that he had some colou,r of right for taking the paper. In a department such as the Public Works, it inevitably happened that exact quantities of material for jobs were not issued, and the position had arisen that smalls were not always returned. The S.M.: It seems that it is time things were straightened up, considering the wages these men are getting. Mr O’Regan said he understood that frequently small pieces of material were taken away by the men “Bec.-|use other people are dishonest, does it mean that your client is entitled to be dishonest?” asked the S.M.