LETTERS OPENED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3560, 21 September 1916, Page 4

LETTERS OPENED.

YOUNG WOMAN'S OFFENCE.

COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE

In the Ashburtoh Court this morning, before Messrs G. W- Andrews and \V. Oakley; J.!sl\, Elsie Hearn . was charged that, on April 12, 1916, she did, contrary to her duty, open a postal packet, to wit, a letter addressed to Miss Minnie 'A'ait, of Rangitatta Island. Chief-Detective P. Herbert prosecuted, and accused was represented by Mr Orbell.

Frederick Hearii said he was a dairyman at Syd«nham ? Christchurch. Ho knew a Miss M. Tait at Rangitata Island. itueJiS wrote * letter to Miss Tait; the letter was posted at Sydenham, and • was closed down with sealing-wax. Witness- knew the accused. •

By Mr Orbeil: .Witness did jiot know the amount received by his cousin for acting as postmaster at Rangitata Island. Minnie Tait said she resided at Rangitatu Island. She lived about three miles from the nearest post office. JJor brother Albert usually brought letters home when he. returned from school. Tin 1, envelope produced was the one which had covered a letter brought to witness on April 12 last; the sealing-wax hud .boeri- broken, and the letter had every appearance of having been openad and sealed up again. Witness knew the accused. i Albert Ernest Tait said, he, was a } brother of the last witness. When returning from school he usually called' at the post" office and took_ letters for his people.! 'He usually got "the letters from accused, and always took them home in- the sumo condition a« he received them from. her. He could not remember seeing the envelope produced before.

Detective Reginald /yyard said |bhat ,on September 8-lie saw •ihei'accused at the Rangitnta Island Post Office; He showed her the envelope •produced, as well as two other envelopes, and .told her that she was suspected of opening these envelopes as they passed through the post. Accused admitted that "she had opened the letters, read thorn, and sealed them up ngain. Asked why she was doina. it, nccused said she did not know. Accused's brothpr was postmaster at Rnn&itnta Island. Accused assisted with the housework and also with the. postal work. | By Mr " Orhell: As far as witness' i knew, acouswl's'brother roceived £7 a I year for nt'tiiif; sis postmnstpr. Accused did not, .roceire arij- salary. Witness did not know how much accused's brother had to pay to have the mails carri e<l. ih Accused nloH'lod guilty, nnd was committed, to the Pupreme Court at Christchurch for- sentence.

,j Other: Charges. Accused was 1 urther charged that, ou ly,' t>uo aid optrn a postal packet addressed to Minnie Tait, -of laiaml. , i'lie evidence given ior the prosecution in Hub cluii-go was the sanie as in the first, t\ith cue additional evidence oi Alarina M. 'lait, who said ebe lived at Itan&ituia UUind, and wu« the mother of Minnie Tait. Tho letter produced was? received by witness from accused at the i'ost Office, lliingitata, on or about April 20. The letter ap-. peared as it^it had been opened. At the same time witness' received several other letters which were in order. When witness drew accused's'attention to the one- letter ; she said she' cdufd' • not:^ account '.for its condition. Accused pleaded, guilty,- and- ■ was committed,, to the Supreme Court for sentence. . . .' " .

A third charge was preferred that, on July 19, accused did open a postal packet addressed to Frederick Hearn.

Minnie Tait said that on or about July 19 ■ shi> h roto a letter and enclosed it in.an/envelope (produced) addressed to F..Huain. Sydouham. Tho letter was properly soa'rd, si rid given to hotbrother to' p<;st. Tho letter when posted did tun, luivo tho two pieces of gum-paper on rliv flap similar to thoso on' the .envelope produced. Albert Tait said ho had never posted any unsealed lottor-, for his sistor.

Frederick Hoam said that on or about July 19 hist he received the letter produced. Two pieces of gumpaper held tho flap of the letter down. Detective Ward said he had seen accused, and n,skod her if sho opened the envelojn? produced. Sh« re-plied " Ye.s." .. Slio admitted putting the two pieces of pnpei* nn the. back of the letter. Sho also admitted endorsing the envelope on the back.

A plea of guiM v was nlso entered in this charge, and accused was committed, for sentence.