THEFTS BY POSTMASTER

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1931, Page 6

THEFTS BY POSTMASTER

DEFALCATIONS AT MOUNT EDEN.

TRIED TO IMPROVE POSITION.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Auckland, Last Night.

Gambling and the desire to improve hie financial position were the reasons given by William Richard Holmes, aged 46, ex-postmaster at Mount Eden, jn the Police Court to-day when he admitted the theft of £6OO, the property of the Governnlent, during the year ended in April, 1930. Holmes was charged with stealing the money in two sums of £5O, one of £2O and one of £4BO. Richard Edgar Williams,, audit inspector for the Post and Telegraph Department, said he went to Mount Eden post office on May 25 in company with a senior inspector. Holmes appeared very disturbed on being introduced to tho senior inspector. At the request of Witness Holmes brought the cash to the counter arid witness proceeded to count it. Holmes then went to a table a little distance. away and the senior inspector drew witness 5 attention to his actions. Witness said they went to the table where Holmes was arid saw that he had inserted a figure S in the remiithnce column of the cash book. The figure had been inserted in the hundreds column in a remittance sent to the chief postmaster on May 23. The remittance actually forwarded on that day was £269 instead of £B6O as the entry showed. William? said he made a complete audit of the books and records of the post office and a deficiency of £6OO was found in the official cash held by Holmes. Detective Snedden eaid that when interviewed Holmes was very frank and admitted he had misappropriated £6OO from the cash of the post office. He later made a voluntary statement and gave every possible assistance in clearing up the matter. Holmes in giving evidence said he was deeply repentant for what he had done. He said the defalcations arose partly through gambling and partly through his desire to improve his financial position. Fie had lost his employment and feared ho would also lose about £3OO he had paid toward his superannuation. Holmes was committed to the Supreme Court for sehtence. Bail was allowed.