A TRUST ABUSED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20724, 18 November 1930, Page 12

A TRUST ABUSED.

COUNCIL CLERK'S OFFENCE. EIGHTEEN MONTHS' DETENTION. Sentence of 18 months' reformative detention was passed by Mr. Justice Smith in the Supremo Court yesterday on William Hobson Nelson, aged 51 (Mr. Northcroft), a clerk in the employ of the Auckland City Council, who had pleaded guilty to four charges of theft, involving sums totalling £319. Mr. Northcroft said no one, apart from Nelson and his brothers and sisters, had lost by these proceedings, because complete restitution had been made, partly by his forfeiting his superannuation and by his brothers and sisters making up the balance. Nelson, when pressed, borrowed some money, which he repaid from time to time, but he got deeper and deeper into it, until the position was discovered. If ho had had the amoral courage to go to those who now came to his assistance undoubtedly the necessary money would have been placed at bis disposal. He had lost his good name and respected position. Mr. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, said the case was one of breach of trust by an officer of a local body who had not even the urge of necessity. He was receiving a comparatively good salary, which should have been ample for his requirements.

His Honor told the prisoner that the position he held was one of public trust and there were four different charges from September, 1929, to October, 197)0. His ffonor took into account as far as ho could that the money had been refunded and that the prisoner had assisted in unravelling the matter. "It is quite clear that I cannot sanction the idea that public money can be taken without penalty, even if it is subsequently refunded," said His Honor. "No doubt you have suffered a great deal, but I have this public duty to perform. Sly view of the matter ,'s that you should be sentenced to reformative detention for a period not exceeding 18 months on each charge, the sentences to lie concurrent."