SYSTEMATIC THEFTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22744, 3 December 1935, Page 11

SYSTEMATIC THEFTS

PENNIES FROM SLOT TELEPHONES POSTAL OFFICIAL CONVICTED (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, December 2, Systematic thefts, extending over a long period, of pennies from telephone slot containers which it was his duty to collect and hand to the Devonport postmaster, were admitted by Horace Claude Taylor, aged 39, in the Police Court this morning. Taylor admitted five charges of theft, the total amounting to £146 18s, between 1933 and October last. The police said the accused found that by shaking the boxes he was able to extract pennies. He had been receiving £240 per annum in wages. On his own admission he estimated that the total amount stolen was £270, and during the last two years he bad stolen on an average about £1 10s per week. He had £2OO due in superannuation and £2O in wages, but these had since been handed to the department in restitution. Taylor, applying for the suppression of his name, said that there was no suggestion of gambling. He had got into financial difficulties through helping people. He thought be saw an easy way out and was not strong enough to withstand the temptation. He was admitted to probation for two years. Suppression of his name wa» refused.