HEADMASTER STEALS PAIR OF SOCKS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3445, 6 September 1926, Page 2

HEADMASTER STEALS PAIR OF SOCKS

END OF HONOURABLE CAREER. [Per Press Association.] - AUCKLAND, Sept. 4. Alfred Charles Hook, aged ’■ 49, headmaster, of the Mercer School, in the Police Court to-day pleaded guilty to the theft of a pair of socks worth 4s 6d, the property of Rendells, Ltd;, of Auckland. Hook was detected in the act. Chief Detective Cummings said the accused had been in the service or the Education Board for 25 years. He was worth £4OOO and when he was arrested had £37 tls 6d in his pocket. Counsel for the accused said that Hook not only had an honourable record in the board’s service, but had served for over two years with the mounted troops in Palestine. He con-i traded malaria fever while in war service and had suffered therefrom since his return. His career was now absolutely wrecked, he would be dismissed and his future ruined. Counsel asked for leniency and the suppression of accused’s name. TSe chief detective said that the accused was under suspicion and he was watched. The suppression of his name would cast suspicion on every other headmaster in the board’s service. Mr: J. W. Poynton, S.M., said he could not suppress accused’s name. He had lost his position and there was the disgrace to be faced. He would be convicted and discharged.