CADETS THEFT OF £l400

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1928, Page 13

CADETS THEFT OF £l400

THREE YEARS’ PROBATION. By Telegraph. —Tress Association. Wellington, Last Night. At the Supreme Court to-day William Matthews, aged 19 years, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, as a servant, of £l4OO from the money order branch of the eGneral Post Office at Wellington. William Matthews, of Timaru, father of the, accused, said that prior to coming to Wellington the prisoner was of very good character. He was industrious and was always at home at night. Counsel for accused: You know he was keeping company with a young lady? Sir Charles Skerrett: I’hat is quite absurd; I have an unpleasant enough duty to perform without introducing domestic matters which cannot possibly influence my decision. His Honour said the prisoner’s taking .of the bag with the money showed not only a dishonest taint, but a complete lack of intelligence and of moral stability. ’Probation for three years was granted on condition that prisoner paid the cost of the prosecution and reported during the period. The idea, said Sir Charles Skerrett, was that the prisoner should be under constant discipline during that period.