FALSE TO TRUST

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1930, Page 9

FALSE TO TRUST

POSTAL OFFICER’S LAPSE

‘ UNDUE TEMPTATION URGED.

A former official in the St. Heliers Post Office, Wilburn James Ralph Voitrekovsky, who had pleaded- guilty in the Police Court to a series of thefts, was sentenced by Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court at Auckland on Monday.

Mr. Noble, who appeared for: accused, said ho was only 20 years of age. His salary was 37s 6d, and he had been required to pay 25s a week for. board. At the time the thefts were committed, he was an attendant at. the counter, and was entrusted with the handling of a considerable sum of money without much supervision. There was no record in the office under the present system of receipts of various sums of money, except tho receipted duplicate of the account.

His Honour: You are speaking of 25 years ago. “The same system is still in force,” said Mr. Noble. He conceded, however, that the system of accounting could not be pleaded as an excuse for dishonesty, but accused seemed to have been exposed to undue temptation for a boy. Restitution of the. money would be made immediately. Tim offences were detected in the ordinary course of audit, as such offences must be, said Mr. Hubble, who appeared for tho Crown. The amounts stolen were £5, £5 and £4. “I am not prepared at this stage to enter into a discussion on J?ost Office methods,” said Mr. Hubble.

The money had .been spent, on clothing, and not on gambling or drinking, said His Honour. That made the case a difficult one. The probation officer’s report was strongly in favour of probation, but it seemed that the duty of the Court was to show that protection would be afforded all who invested at the Post Office Savings Bank. The offence was not isolated; but was one of a ■ series.

A sentence of three months’ imprisonment was imposed. His Honour said he would make a recommendation to the police officials that accused be kept apart from other prisoners, as he did not wish to do anything that would prevent his making good in the future.