MORLAND CONVICTED

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 May 1943, Page 4

MORLAND CONVICTED

REMANDED FOR SENTENCE.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 14

Leo Edward Morland, an Australian metallurgist, aged 42, was found guilty in the Supreme Court to-day, on a charge that on or about October 29, 1940, at Arahura, near Hokitika, being a servant in the employ of Arahura Gold Dredging, Ltd., he stole 36500 z of gold valued at £31,496, the property of the company. Mr. Justice Northcroft presided. Mr. A. T. Donnelly, with him Mr. A. AV. Brown, represented the Crown, and Mr. J. A. Scott, of Wellington, appeared for Morland, who pleaded not guilty. ? Summing up, His Honor said that “he fact of the accused having an abnormal quantity of gold in his possession was unusual. Accused was in a trusted position, but if he had a mind to be dishonest he had the opportunity. The ' difference in the weight of the luggage brought to and taken away from Hokitika by the accused was five hundredweight, and that increase was significant. During the time the accused was at Arahura the winnings dropped from fifty-six to forty-four per cent., and that difference was not explained. The difference was large, and it was amazing that the company had not detected it, and curious that the company was shown to have lost so much without becoming aware of it. The secret method of removing the gold was consistent with the conduct of a thief, and consistent with a love of seeing that which is hoarded. The jury, which retired at 11.47 a.m., returned at 3.21 p.m., with a verdict of guilty. The following rider was added:

“The jury views with concern the state of affairs which existed at the Arahura dredge, and which facilitated yielding to strong temptation, and considers more protective supervision was wiirranted.” Accused was remanded for sentence.