JUDGE’S DUTY TO PUBLIC

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1930, Page 7

JUDGE’S DUTY TO PUBLIC

MUNICIPAL CLERK’S SENTENCE RESTITUTION NOT EVERYTHING By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Sentence iof 18 months’ reformative detention was passed by Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court on William Hobson Nelson,, aged 51 (Mr. Northcroft), a clerk in the employ of Auckland City Council, who had pleaded guilty to four charges of theft involving sums totalling £319. Mr. Northcroft said no one apart from Nelson and his brothers ajid sisters had lost by these proceedings because complete restitution had been made, partly by his forfeiting his superannuation and by his brothers and sisters making up the balance., Mr. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, said the case was one of breach of trust by an officer of a local body, who had not, even the urge of necessity. He was receiving a comparatively good salary, which should have been ample r his requirements. His Honour told the prisoner that the position he held was one of, public trust. “It is quite clear that I cannot sanction the idea that public. money <.»n be taken without penalty, even if i is subsequently refunded,” said His Honour. “No doubt you have suffered a great deal, but I have this public duty to perform.”