THEFT OF GOVERNMENT MONEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10697, 10 March 1898, Page 3

THEFT OF GOVERNMENT MONEY.

CHARGES AGAINST THE MOUNT EDEN MAGAZINE-KEEPER. PROBATION GRANTED. George Crokt Htodlkstos, aged 50, late magazine-keeper at Mount Eden, who on Monday pleaded guilty to having appropriated four sums of money, which were in his charge as an officer of the Government, was brought up for sentence. Mr. Karl appeared for the prisoner, at the request of his friends. Counsel said his client was a man of very good family, well-known in the colony. In the year 1872, when a young man of 22 or 23, he entered the armed constabulary, and later joined the permanent militia. In these two departments he served the colony till 1888, and during the whole of that time his conduct was very good. He rose to the rani; of SergeantMajor, and was transferred to the Volunteer Department, and went to Napier as drillinstructor, and remained in that district practically till 1895, when he was sent to Auckland. While in Napier his conduct was very satisfactory, and his official duties were well performed. At Poverty Bay he was presented with a public address from the artillery volunteers and residents. Referring to the defalcations, counsel remarked, but he did not wish to reflect on anyone, that between the last audit and the previous audit, a period of 18 months had elapsed. Tho prisoner had given no trouble to tho authorities, and had made a clean breast of his guilt. He had never earned a higher salary than 8s 6d per day, and at the magazine lie had received 7s per day, and the use of a cottage. The money was not spent in gambling, but had been used, counsel believed, in the payment of a number of small debts that had accumulated. The prisoner had certain social advantages, and had many friends, but also had the disadvantage of having a very small and meagre salary, and counsel thought that in endeavouring to keep up some sort of a position, he had been led into his present trouble. Looking through his career, Mr. Earl had come to 1 the conclusion he was what the world called " a good fellow," and that he was his own bitterest enemy. It was almost cc lain that Huddlcston would be entitled to a retiring allowance of about £276, and as the defalcations wore not more than £220, the Government would he a gainer, so far as looking at the matter in that light was concerned. Mr. Earl asked that his client might bo admitted to the benefits of the First Offenders Probation Act. Counsel then called evidence as to character.

Francis Henry Pickering, general manager of the Sun Fire Insurance Company, bad known the prisoner for the last 45 years. During that time witness always considered be was of very good character, and had never heard anything against him. For 15 years in Nelson witness saw the accused almost daily.

Sergeant Kelly, of the police force, said lie had known the prisoner practically from boyhood. Witness was acquainted with him in the armed constabulary, and had never beard the slightest imputation against, him. He was a man who earned the respect of both nllicers and men. Huddleston was neither given to gambling nor drinking. S. R. Stewart deposed to having known (lie accused in Poverty Bay and elsewhere. He was always a popular liian, and witness bad never known anything to his discredit or dishonour.

I His Honor called Mr. J. T. Dtimhe.ll, Government auditor, who stated he made his audit of prisoner's books last Christmas. The previous audit was made in March, 1896. The total amount of the defalcations was £222 13s 6d. They had all occurred ; within a year and ten months. With regard to the retiring allowance, witness said he had received a telegram from the Under-Secre-tary of Defence, to the effect that the prisoner was not entitled to compensation; it was subject to tlio decision of the Government. His Honor: Is it not a matter of right? Witness: He is not legally entitled to it. His Honor : As a matter of fact, would he not have received this had lie retired with a good character'/ Witness : I cannot say for certain that he would. The matter would have depended on the Government. ' His Honor: Is it not almost a certainty? Witness : I have known some officers not receive it. His Honor: Then it is only a matter of conjecture whether he would or would not have got it? Witness: Just so. His Honor: But the probability is in his favour? Witness: I would not like to say that it would. It would be a matter of principle affecting the whole force. His Honor, in delivering his decision, said he felt sure that no case he had yet had to try had caused him so much pain as the present. He thought it was probable that he was acquainted with the prisoner many years ago. He was well acquainted with most of the members of prisoner's family, and that made it extremely embarrassing for him to deal with the case. He hoped, however, he should n»t be accused of having been influenced by the fact of knowing so much about the prisoner, in coming to a decision. It appeared that he had borne the very highest character until, unfortunately, apparently the pressure of circumstances had caused him to commit those defalcations. His Honor did not think that any good object would be attained by sending the prisoner to gaol; and was of opinion that the fact that he had mined his character and ruined his prospects, and had arrived at an age when it was difficult for a man to begin again, justified him (the judge) in admitting him to probation. In the case of an habitual thief who preyed upon the public generally, he was put into prison to protect the public, and in the hope of reformation, ! and His Honor did not think that any good end would be served by placing the prisoner among such as those. The very fact that after his good character and good sen-ice for so many years— six and twenty years —he should he placed'in the present degrading position, might be taken of itself to He sufficient punishment. His Honor very likely would be found fault with tor too much leniency, as occasionally he was found fault with for too much severity, but he endeavoured to do his duty, and hoped as long as he had the honour of sitting on that Bench,, to do his duty as well as he coulS. It was probable that prisoner would be entitled to the retiring allawance, so that the Government would not be a loser by it. He thought he would be fulfilling the ends of justice by admitting prisoner to probation for twelve months. Htiddleston was then discharged, CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS. But at what cost is this cleanliness procured by many people ? Often at the cost of 'a bad and uncomfortable skin, the result of the use of inferior soaps. To insure a good healthful skin Pears' Soap should always be used This fact is undeniable. That Arthur Nathan's Tea, "Reliable, - Is of all others most enjoyable. igf^