CHRISTCHURCH CUSTOMS FRAUDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 16 February 1914, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH CUSTOMS FRAUDS

THE ACCUSED SENTENCED

(United Pbess Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

Mi- .7us; Denisrston sentenced the prisoners concerned in the Custonis fraud cases to-day. He said the prisoners pleaded guilty to a series of deliberate frauds against the Customs and their employers. They also admitted being guilty to a large number of similar frauds not included in tho charges. These extended over a period of years, but the-practice of destroying records everv three years had made it impossible to follow the frauds to their inception. It was quite clear that the system by which the frauds became possible had been in existence many years, and the amount annually lost by the Customs \\a.3 very large. The Court did not propose to "make the jirisoners scapegoats lor anything that was past, but he must inflict substantial sentences. He had endeavoured. to ascertain what extenuat.ng oirucnistances existed in each t-ise. \ddressin«- John McCormick, Customs clerk, the Judge said the frauds traced to him in coniunction with C. K. a™ l "* amounted to £4673. It appeared that certain frauds went- beyond three veais. John Hill, Customs officer, who had been in the service 17 years, was. responsible for misappropriations amounting to £2SCO during £TTe last three years. He was the owner of property of considerable value, the source of which was not explained. McCormick andi Hill ere sentenced to three years each. Ernest Walter Wood, who was responsible toi the misappropriation of £2500 m three vears, and spent it in self indulgence was sentenced to two years. The othei •sentences were: James Campbell. Owen; Francis eighteen months ; C H. Smith, 12 months ,- George Fiancis. who offended_£or a brief period only under severe temptation, was ordered, to come up for sentence when called on. Mr Justice Denmston added that he would recommend Wood. Owen, 'Leigh, and Smith to be sent prison camps.