THEFT OF POSTAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 75

THEFT OF POSTAL NOTES.

MAN AND WIFE CHARGED. WHANGAREI, February 29. William John M'Kcrnan (postmaster) and his wife, Caroline Lavina Maud M’Kernan, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court at Whangarei to-day on an adjourned charge of theft at the Whakapara Post Office of postal notes of a total value of £8 17s 9d, of which 15s 2d had been recovered. It was alleged that notes for various amounts up to £1 0s 3d had disappeared on different dates in the latter part of January and the first week of February. The postmaster was further charged with failing to account for £l5 which had been deposited on Januaty 30 to the credit of Edna Reed’s post office account, and also for a further sum of £5 Is lOd. His wife was charged with receiving stolen postal notes. Both accused pleaded guilty. The evidence of an inspector of the Post and Telegraph Department disclosed that each had admitted the thefts in a statement. Counsel said the postal notes had been taken by the wife, who was in bad health. M’Kernan had at first taken the blame on himself. He should have looked after the office better, but counsel asked that he be dealt with leniently. Later in the day the Magistrate admitted the male accused to three years’ probation on a charge of stealing £5 Is, and ordered him to be detained for six months for reformative treatment on the charge of stealing £l5. No further sentence was passed on the other charges. The female accused, who appeared to be ill, was admitted to probation for three years. The Magistrate was in the middle of his remarks when, without warning, the accused collapsed on the floor. She was carried out of the court, where attempts to revive her were made for several minutes, after which a doctor was telephoned for.