CHARGE AGAINST G. M. PARK

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 168, 19 February 1896, Page 2

CHARGE AGAINST G. M. PARK

At the Itotorua Police Court on Friday, before Mr C. Malfroy and Dr Gindors,- J.P.s, Gavin Melntyro Park, postmaster at Taupo, was charged on the information of Mr Duncan Cummings, assistant inspector of post offices, with converting to his own use £442, Gs. 4d, the properly of the Postmaster-General. The following evidence was taken. Duncan Cummings stated that he visited Taupo on the 9th hist and on his arrival he called at the post office; accused suggested that they should have a walk and a chat; witness replied that the chat must take place inside the office whereupon accused said "I am undone; I am £'loo short; were you a day later it would have been all right as 1 applied for compensation for loss of office and

expected the reply tomorrow;'-' they then went into the office and accused handed over liis stamps, postal notes and coin; I counted these arid found the deficiency to amount to £425 lis 3d; accused rendered all the assistance; in his power to I arrive at the etfaet deficiency; witness then went to ihe police office arid informed the constable that Park Was'short in his cash; while there the lineman,Mr A. Norman, appeared and after a consultation it was decided to arrest accused as it was thought bj those who ,knew him that he might, commit suicide; oh a further examination of the accounts witness found the whole deficiency to be £442 (is 4d the property of the Post-master-General. Constable Borimau stated that he arrested accused at Taupo on the iilh inst on the charge of theft of over £IOO public money on infonriation received from Mr Cummings; whilst in the custody of witness accused stated" I borrowed this money for my own use for a few days I am realising my assets out of which I intended to replace! it. In reference to a statement made by accuse! that the lockup at Taupo was in a filthy condition and full of vermin, witness admitted that pigs and fowls had access; as the place was of little importance and the lockup seldom used the Government would spend no money on it. Accused replied that that was no reason why it should bo crammed with lice; and filth, Accused made no statement in reply to the charges and was committed to take his trial at the Supreme Court, Auckland on March 10th.