PUBLIC SERVANT’S LAPSE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19904, 25 September 1926, Page 14

PUBLIC SERVANT’S LAPSE.

WORRY AND ILL-HEALTH PLEADED. COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. (Peb United Pbess Association.) PALMERSTON N., September 24. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day, before two justices of the peace, George Hutcheson Lang, until recently registrar of the Supreme Court at Palmerston North, appeared in answer to a charge that, on or about March 6, 1925, and on divers dates betn March 6, 1925, and August 20, 1926, almerston North, being an officer of the ..ew Zealand Government —to wit, registrar of the Supreme Court at Palmerston North, he did receive from divers persons sums totalling £209 Os 6d on terms requiring him to account for and pay them to the Government, and failed to account for them, thereby committing theft. Senior Detective Quirke prosecuted. William John Kane, inspector of the Audit Department, stated that in August and September last he audited the books of the Justice Department in Palmerston North. He examined also the register of sales by mortgages, which showed a deficiency of £llß 2s 9d, made up of various amounts. Witness pointed out the disci epancy to accused, who admitted receiving the money. Witness also examined the sheriff’s register, which disclosed a deficiency of £9O 17s 9d, which was admitted by accused when interrogated upon the matter. The total deficiency amounted to £209 Os 6d. During the course of his investigations, the accused had given witness every possible assistance, and beyond

the omissions referred to the books showed no signs of falsifications. Both registers were under the accused’s control. Accused: It is a fact, is it not, that I volunteered the information that shortages would be found? Witness: Yes. Accused: And in the ordinary course of your duties you reported me to Wellington? Witness: Yes. Witness also stated that the only shortages were those of fees not correctly assessed. Detective Holmes gave formal evidence. Accused then entered the witness box and, on oath, read a lengthy statement, in which he described his present position as being due to extreme financial worry and overwork, the latter being due directly to the inadequacy of the staff. The shortage was in two minor branches of the Supreme Court work to which he had personally attended —mortgages and sales through the register and sheriff’s writs. In both cases those were duties which should not be delegated to his deputy and he, therefore, did everything in collection with these, including the routine work. The items of shortage should be accounted for by stamps affixed to the entry in tlio register, no official receipt being provided. Owing to pressure of work (accentuated by his duties as returning officer for the General Election) the register entries fell behind, the fees received being temporarily attached to the files. The moneys were used by him to relieve acute financial pressure during a period when his financial and office anxieties had resulted in sleeplessness, and early in the year almost in a nervous breakdown.

“My financial position,” added accused, “is due directly to the stupid administration of the affiairs of the Justice Department.” He named the officer whom he considered responsible for the alleged maladministration. and added that the manner in which experienced officers were quitting the department, whether by transfer or totake up civilian occupations, was alone striking proof of the inadequacy of the administration of the officer referred to. The accused went into details in connection with the salaries and allowances in the department, and stated that although the increases following upon the 1919 classification made the conditions much better, he had never recovered from his experience of the years 1916 to 1919, over which he felt the bitterest resentment. The conditions arising out of the heavy obligations incurred then had been a night and day source of worry to him. While it possibly did not lessen his guilt he could say without hesitation that the administration of the department had directly de-

prived him of at least as much as he was now charged with taking. “I have made no attempt at concealment of anything.” concluded the accused. “All the documents, including anything showing the payments of moneys which were not accounted for, were placed with the files awaiting an opportunity to put everything in order. When I found that I had got in arrears earlv this year, I commenced to make arrangements to bring everything up to date, but the abnoraml state I was m through overwork, nervous strain and genera! depression was responsible for the delay which has brought mo to my present position. This would have been impossible with normal health and normal office conditions. 1 volunteered information to the Audit Inspector in the direction in which he would find the shortages. In all cases where there was a shortage the file disclosed it. _ In the cases > where inquiries were made it was shown t.’at no fees were received and were payable. “A refund of the amount involved has been arranged,” concluded accused. The accused then pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence. In committing accused, Mr Graham, one of the justices, remarked that it was one of the most painful duties that is fcfd had to perform. It was extremely distressing to find a public servant of such a lengthy service as that of accused, and holding such a position, before the court on such a charge. „ , , , Bail of one surety of £2OO, to be found by accused himself, and two others of £IOO each was allowed.