ABUSED HIS TRUST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15390, 27 August 1913, Page 7

ABUSED HIS TRUST.

CLERK'S EMBEZZLEMENT.

CITY COUNCIL'S FUNDS.

REFORMATIVE TREATMENT.

The young man, Clarence Harold Robinson, who had been acting as treasury clerk to the Auckland City Council, came before His Honor Mr. Justice Cooper for sentence at the Supreme Court yesterday. The accused, by a series of defalcations, extending from September, 1911, to July of the present year, had defrauded the City Council of the sum of £328 7s sd. The accused having pleaded guilty to the, charge, Mr. J. R. Reed, K.C., "ho appeared for him, addressed His Honor at some length, and also called evidence as to the good character borne by the accused. Counsel said the case was a particularly sad one, in view of the fact that the accused, who came of a very good family, had a wife and one child dependent upon him. When the frauds began the accused was in receipt of a salary of £160 a. year. This was subsequently increased to £200. He found himself in monetary troubles, and started kicking horses in order to retrieve his position. However, he got deeper and deeper into debt, and used the council's money for his own purposes, always hoping to have the luck to mako a substantial win so as to bo able to pay everything back. The accused, counsel concluded, was most severely punished by being branded as a convicted thief. Imprisonment would be but a minor punishment. Counsel pleaded for leniency, on the grounds that the accused had no real criminal instincts, that he had given every assistance when the frauds were discovered, and that employment would be found for bim when lie came out of gaol. His Honor said the First Offenders' Probation Act could not be applied in this case, as the defalcations had extended over a considerable period, and liad showed a great amount of ingenuity. Undoubtedly the accused's character had been good, otherwise he would not have been employed in a position of trust. Punishment, said His Honor, was necessary, in order to act as a warning to others'employed in responsible positions. Doubtless the innocent would suffer, too, but that could not be helped. , The accused was sentenced to be detained in prison, for reformative pur-rxx-cs for a period not exceeding three years. His Honor pointed out to the accused that his case would be periodically considered by the. Prisons Board. Tuey would take into consideration any restitution that might be made, and also the fact that employment was awaiting the accused when released.