GOOD RECORD RUINED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21164, 22 April 1932, Page 11

GOOD RECORD RUINED.

TOWN CLERK'S DOWNFALL.

THEFT FROM A COUNCIL. TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT. "It is extremely difficult to know what to say in defence of this man," said counsel for James William Ilarbord, formerly town clerk for the Upper Hutt Borough Council, who appeared for sentence before Mr. Justice MacGregor in the Supreme Court, in Wellington on Monday. He pleaded guilty to a charge of theft as a servant. His thefts of money amounted to £lll4. 110 was sentenced to two years' imprisonment. Defending counsel said that Ilarbord was a man of scholastic ability and had a not unworthy record in the field of local government. He must have known what his acts involved and what the result would be. There was very little that could bo said, but it was desirable to emphasise that Harbord's downfall was due wholly and solely to misfortune, and not as a result of any form of luxurious living. He did not drink or gamble, and the greater portion of the money taken had been used to pay off accumulated debts.

When Ilarbord took the position as town clerk in Upper Hutt ho found it necessary to live in the borough, counsel explained. He had leased his bouse in Lower Hutt, and, in anticipation of the money he expected to receive, sold his old car and bought, a new one. Also he bought n section. It turned out., however, that tho lessee was a man of straw. The money was not forthcoming, and, as there was about £l5O owing, Harbord had to take a bill of sale on the lessee's furniture.

Harbord's financial troubles became worse when his salary was cut by 10 per cent., said counsel, and what he had left was barely sufficient to keep his family. Thus there had been a temptation to take money—a temptation heightened by the fact that it was very easy for him to do so. As had been discovered by tho investigating detective, the system of issuing cheques by tho Upper Hutt Borough Council was a very lax one.

There was tho inexplicable business of putting money into a butchery, but counsel suggested that it represented an attempt on tho part of Harbord to get quick returns. Of the total amount taken —£lll4 —a sum of £6OO had gone into the butchery business. There was also £IOO equity on the car, and £l5O represented by the bill of sale on the lessee's furniture. This bill Harbord was prepared to assign in order that it might help toward restitution.

"It is to Harbord's credit that, when he, was 29 years of ago, and with a wife and one child, he began studying," said counsel. "He has practically completed his bachelor of commerce degree, and has been offered a position when he comes back to society."

Tho Assistant-Crown Prosecutor said there was no prospect of any money being got out, of the butchery business. He said that Harbord went for a holiday at Christmas, apparently using tho money he had taken.

The Judge: This young man started stealing in October, 1951, and up till the, timo he was arrested in March, 1932, he had stolen more than £lllO. It is hopeless to make excuses for such a state of things.