Filching Funds

NZ Truth, Issue 943, 22 December 1923, Page 8

Filching Funds

COUNTY CLERK'S CRASH.

Booze Blamed.

Drink, the one expressive word which when used m a derogatory sense embraces all the otherwise enumerated cocktails, whiskeys, long-sleevers,. or ponies that a man may consume, was spoken of with a note of venom m his voice by Lawyer Hanna m the Wellington Supreme Court this week when asserting that if it hadn't been for his unquenchable thirst Herbert Symes, ex-clerk of the Pohangina County Council, wouldn't have got down on £382 19s belonging to the county funds. The occasion was the appearance of Symes m the dock for sentence by the Chief Justice. Prisoner, it was stated," was appointed county clerk m September, 1920, and for the first eighteen months of his office was a diligent clerk. From then on he became a dilatory clerk. Drink was his downfall. He drank early and he drank late. His own screw became a liquid asset, and he supplemented it by peculations from the county funds, which instead of providing rocks for the road were spent on SPOTS FOR THE CLERK. The explanation of this burning thirst was that the man was suffering from consumption, and found relief from thnt exhausting disease only by imbibing the cup that cheers. In 1904 he had four operations on his throat, and now could hardly raise his voice beyond a hoarso whlapor. Tho rigors of prison life might seriously affect his health, but if granted probation he would be prepared to spend 12 months In an Inebriates' home. .His Honor*. Well, I think I will send him to an inebriates' home for twelve months. This stealing from the Crown and local bodies is reaching a strange pass m New Zealand. Even juries seem to look upon lt as something not very wrong ln some instances. His Honor then admitted prisoner to twelve months' probation on condition that he spent the period m the inebriates' home m Roto Roa, "I do this." said his Honor, "because tho man is suffering from consumption." EX-POLICEMAN'S EXCESSES. • Another case of peculations by an official was brought under notice when Andrew McJennett, an ex-police constable, was brought up for his medicine for having pocketed £27 7s while employed as an officer m tho Arms Department. Lawyer Perry said the prisoner was only 23 years of age, nnri had a wife and one child. When his screw was cut from five guineas a week to £4 lis by the salary cut he got into difficulties, and the furniture he was buying under the hire purchase system was taken away from him, although he had paid £80 of the £100 owing. He and his wifo nnd child then wont to board at a private hotel at £ 3 16s a week, paid In advance. He couldn't raise the amount straight off the reel, and that was when he pocketed the first pound of the amount he had got away with. The baby win delicate and required medicine, and his screw being small, they got into difficulties and ho took more 'money at the office. Hls'Honor: He he(d sufficient to live on. Counsel: No, that was the trouble, he hadn't." His Honor: Thero are hundreds of pooplo In this country that manage on less than he got. Counsel: Living on £-1 lis WITH A WIFE AND CHILD Is not easy. His Honor: Ho could havo got his board cheaper than that. Counsel: He did eventually, when they went to llvo with his mother-in-law. It was then mentioned that the amount stolen had been refunded, nnd a request was made for probation, which his Honor acceded to. Prisoner was granted prohntlo" fnr fvo yoars.