CHARGE AGAINST A POSTOFFICE CLERK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4164, 25 August 1881, Page 4

CHARGE AGAINST A POSTOFFICE CLERK.

[By Telegbaph.]

NAPIER, August 24.

Rendle, the letter carrier attached to tho Napier Post-office, who was arrested last night is a young man of superior education. He came to the Colony ' about seven years ago, as midshipman on an emigrant Bhip, and ran away when the ship waß at Napier. It is stated that about 250 stamps torn from letters were found on his person. They were of all aorta, from five shillings to ono penny, but the greater number were sixpenny stamps, evidently taken from letters for England. In Borne instances scraps of paper with writing on are attached to the stamps, which may lead to the identification of some of the letters. Rendle chewed up a great many, intending to make away with tho evidence against him, but he apparently thought better of it, md endeavoured to get them conveyed to his wife, but unsuccessfully. It is doubtful whether any other charge than that of letter-opening will be preferred, as though several tradesmen recognise things which they believe to have been stolen, they oannot swear to them. These things are ohiefly books, muaic, or engravings which cannot be specially identified.

To-day the police went round with the skeleton keys found on Itendle, and evidontly made by himself by filing down ordinary keys. Thoy were fouud to unlock the doors of the several shops he ia alleged to have entered. The extent of hia frauds can only be guesßed at, but a vory uneasy feeling pervades tho public mind, especially in business circles, as the stamps found on him go to show that a large number of letters posted hero must have been done away with. Rendle's arrest was a universal surprise. He was generally respected, and thore was not a steadier mau in town, and during the years ho has been here nothing discreditable has ever beon alleged, against him. He neither drank nor gambled, his evenings being gonerally spent in the practice of music, an immense stock of which was found in his house. It now, however, appears that of late he haß Beverely ill-treated hia wife, which may account for her informing on him. Rendle stands remanded until Monday next.