THEFT FROM POSTAL PACKETS

Southland Times, Issue 17620, 7 April 1914, Page 5

THEFT FROM POSTAL PACKETS

A SERIOUS OFFENCE-

REMARKS BY THE JUDGE.

(Per United Press Association)

AUCKLAND, April fi.

Mr Justice Cooper took a serious view of an offence committed by Arthur Gordon Anderson, a youth of seventeen, who was brought up for sentence in the Supreme Court to-day- for stealing from postal packets while employed in the Post Office at Kawakawa. His Honour was reluctant to apply the provisions of the First Offenders’ Act in this case, even, though the amount involved did not exceed five pounds. The thefts had been going on for six months and in many cases the letters were destroyed. "It is a very serious thing to tamper with the post.’’ said the Judge. "No one can gauge, the effect of destroying letters in this way. Some unfortunate may be expecting money from her husband or some relative may- be anxiously waiting to hear for nows and lives may be wrecked in this way. This is an offence which, in the interests of the public, should not be treated lightly. It is one of the most serious offences —the interference with letters by a postal official. Letters are supposed to he sacred. I have not yet decided, what I shall do with the accused, and will remand him until May 2, r >, so that in the meantime inquiries may he made from his relatives.’’

The Crown Prosecutor mentioned that His Honour's attitude to such cases was exactly that of Mr Justice Edwards. His Honour. —The Judges are agreed on the seriousness of the offence and there must be strong reasons before a postal official who betrays his trust can escape punishment.