ALLEGED POSTAL THEFTS

Southland Times, Issue 17784, 13 July 1916, Page 5

ALLEGED POSTAL THEFTS

A SERIES OF CHARGED. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., Alexander Angus Smith, an cx-postal employee, appeared in answer to ten separate charges of theft from postal packets. The accused was represented by Mr H. A. Macdonald, Avhile Detective Sergeant Cameron prosecuted. Evidence was taken from about 20 witnesses regarding letters containing valuables (hank notes. postal notes, cheques, and stamps), having been posted but not received. The amounts enclosed varied from 5 i- to £25, the latter sum being in cheques, payment of which was stopped immediately the. loss became known. Some of the letters belonged to tin l incoming, and others to the outgoing mails, hut none of them Avere registered. Detective Sergeant Cameron, in l lie box, stated that ho had interviewed the accused on the 7111 inst., Avhcn he had made and signed a. statement (produced* admitting all the offences. In his statement accused said that be judged a letter’s cuntents by its feel, but that lie had sometimes opened ordinary letters in error. These tie destroyed as also he did any cheques Aviiieli he loinul. It was about IS months since lie started opening letters, Imt lie had not touched many until a year ago. W hen he. stole postal notes be cashed them at small business places in toAA'ii and made a point of never going to the same shop twice. Ho spent the money chiefly in cigarettes, of which he smoked about two packets a day, and sAveets.

To Mr Macdonald: ’Witness had known the accused for nine or ten years. His personal opinion was that lie was a very good boy. He had been in the Post-office for about four years, end witness could only speak favourably of bis past character. In the course of his work the accused would have, numerous opportunities to tamper with letters. The mailroom was not so constructed as to keep each employee in constant sight of his fellows. It was true that since prices had advanced a much poorer quality envelope was being used and, in consequence, the chances of being able to detect a letter’s contents had increased appreciably. His Worship adjourned the case for one week to enable the Court to hear further evidence. Bail was allowed in one surely of £IOO.