DISMISSAL TOO SEVERE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17957, 6 December 1921, Page 6

DISMISSAL TOO SEVERE.

STATE COAL DEPOT CASES, BOARD ALLOWS APPEALS.' » [BY TILEQRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.]' WELLINGTON. Moniiiy. • ? Following the exposure of the action of a junior clerk in the Chvistchurch office of the State Coal Department; in mis-" appropriating the sum of £2000/ .an in^' quiry inter the wtykiii,: the branch to ' and the method of audit was made by- " the Assistant-Public Service Cc.mrobsioner, Mr. Verschaflelt, and as a result of that inquiry a decision was arrived at that four officers be dismissed fiofn the service. They were: F. A. Nalder, of the' Mines Department, manager of the depot at Christchurch; L. A. G. Rich, finit clerk in the office; L. H. Eilens, accountant, head office, and G. S. Gapper, Audit Department. Against the decision of the Ass", tantCommisisoner the officers concerned lippealed, and their appeals were heard by the Board of Appeal, Messrs. Peter Barr (chairman), F. W. I 1 lanagan, and 0. diy R. Andrews, a little over a week- ago. As the matter was considered to'bo of great importance from both individual and departmental points of view, the board agreed that the officers should be allowed the benefit of counsel. ■■ > The board in each case concurred with the finding of tho Assistant-Public Service Commissioner concerning carelessnessnegligence, and failure to realise their responsibilities on the part of the appel- . ants, but in each instance held that ft severe penalty than dismissal from the Public Service would have met the casfc The appeals were allowed, suggestion* for lesser punishment being made to tn® commissioner.