BETRAYAL OF TRUST.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13350, 7 April 1914, Page 8

BETRAYAL OF TRUST.

TAMPERING WITH POSTAL PACKETS.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, last night. Mr Justice Cooper took a- serious view of an offence committed by Arthur Gordon Anderson, a youth of 17, brought up for sentence in the Supreme Court to-day for stealing from postal packets ■while employed in the post office at Kawakawa. His Honor said he was reluctant to apply the provisions of the Fij^st Offenders' Act in this case, even though the amount involved did not exceed £5. Thefts had been going on for six months, and in many -casefc letters were destroyed. "It is a very serious thin--- to tamper with the* post," said tbe -Judge. "No one can gauge the effect of destroying, letters in tlus way. Some unfortunate woman may be expecting money from 'hor husband,_ or sonic relative may be anxiously waiting; to hear n^ws. ,. Lives may *bo wicked . in v thi& way: Tliis is an offence which, in/the interests ..of.f.the, public, should hot be treated 'lightly. It is one of the most serious offences, this intrfforence with letters by a postal oiHciaJ. Letters are supposed to be sacr-.-'";. j have not yet decided what — 1 shall lo with the accused, -and will remand him until May 25, so that in the meantime inquiries may be made from his relatives. ' The Crown Prosecutor mentioned that liis Honor's attitude to such cases wasexactly that of Mr Justice Edwards. His Honor : The judges are agreed on the seriousness of the offence. There mutt be a strong reason before a postal offi- ! ;I who betrays his trust can escape puj-.yhmenfc.