THEFT ALLEGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23169, 15 October 1938, Page 15

THEFT ALLEGED

LETTERS AT POST OFFICE EMPLOYEE FOR TRIAL [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] GHRISTCHURCH, Friday A postal officer, Donald Edward Spiers, aged 33. employed at the general post office, Christchurch, was charged before Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M.. with the theft on September 27 of two letters addressed to the Calder, Maekay Company, and the property of the Post-master-General. Richard Elcock, a postal inquiry officer, said that acting on instructions he took up a position that would enable him to have the private-box bay under observation. After a change of staffs at 6.40 a.m. he saw a man walking steathily along the bay in the direction of Calder Mackay's box. The man put his hand in a box and withdrew several letters, partially replacing them. He examined several and selected what appeared to be three letters, which he thrust in his righthand trousers pocket. The man, whom witness identified as the accused, walked on tip-toe back to the main portion of the mailroom. About three minutes later witness went to the mailroom. Accused was not there, but arrived some minutes later. When questioned accused denied any knowledge of the removal of letters. Cross-examined by counsel for the accused, Mr. R. Wyneham, witness said that accused had turned out his pockets voluntarily and permitted him to examine his uniform coat. Counsel suggested that evidence had not been produced which would lead to a conviction by any jury. The evidence only showed that "a man answering to the description of accused" had been seen placing letters in his pocket. Moreover, there was no satisfactory proof that the letters were missing from Calder Mackay's box. The accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed at £IOO with one surety of £IOO, and the accused was required to report on - alternate days to the police.