THEFT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12502, 17 November 1933, Page 5

THEFT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS.

Electric Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 16. Terence Monc-riff Nixon, aged 23 years, and Cyril Robert- Hankins, aged 25, were to-day committed for sentence on charges of stealing Government funds. Nixon admitted that whi(le lie was a clerk in the Labour Department he stole £795 on December 29 last, and Hankins admitted stealing £765. Detective Hamilton said that he arrested both the accused in Sydney on November 3 on warrants, and they were extradited. In a statement Nixon said that he put "the £3O on a horse named Fisher at the Auckland trotting meeting, and the horse lost. He then drew a cheque lor £765, and with Hankins cashed it at the hank, giving Hankins £SOO. With three minutes) to spare they caught the Mcnowai for Sydney, and went 011 to North Queensland in a, car which they bought for £4O. Subsequently Nixon bought a share in a tourist business for £SOO, paying £4OO .cash. The business was dissolved. They returned to Sydney, penniless, and had pawned ~ their clothes when arrested. Nixou added that he was heavily involved in racing debts, and alleged that he had been partly influenced by Hankins in stealing money.

Hankins stated in evidence that he had not met Nixon until the dav of the theft, and until then ho had m> intention of going to Australia He had nothing to do with the theftof £3O.

The Magistrate refused to allow bad.