POSTAL CADET'S LAPSE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16158, 12 March 1918, Page 3

POSTAL CADET'S LAPSE.

.MONEY STOLEN AND RESTORED. (special to "the press.") DUNEDLN', March 11. How a cadet in the Post Office at Waikouaiti could not resist temptation was told in the Dunedin Magistrate's Court this morning, when John William Fox, aged 19, belonging to Christchurch, was charged with stealing £20, the property of Isabella Robbins. Chief-Detective Bishop detailed the facts, and from a statement made by accused, Mrs Robbins, an old ladv, called at the counter and handed accused £25, which she wished sent to Ireland. She afterwards decided to send £20, and was returned £5. Accused could find no post office in .'reland near the place where Mrs Robbins wanted the money sent. Ho then consulted Mr Francis, the postmaster, who saw Mrs Robbins, and told her to write to her friends and find out which was the nearest money order office. Accused placed the £20 ou tho counter in front of the woman, who collected her papers and put them in a When she went away he noticed tho money still on the counter. He placed it in the drawer, and after balancing his cash in the evening, he put the money in his pocket and took it to his boarding-house. He changed his clothes tho next morning, and when Mrs Robbins called to ask for the money, he told her that she had not loft it at the Post Office. Accused told Mr Francis that he had handed it back to the old woman. Accused also told Constable Hodgson that he had handed it back. The young man kept the monev for about three weeks, ar.d then sent" it by post to the constable. Ho wrote a letter iu a disguised hand, enclosed the money, and posted it on the express train. When interviewed by the detectives on Saturday, he admitted the whole matter, and said he wanted to clear the staff. Accused belonged to Christchurch and came from a very respectable family. His Worship said that it was a cass in which a lad of good characljrr had succumbed to a sudden temptation. Afterwards he lost his nerve and did his best to return the monev. He would be convicted and ordered to come ud for. sentence.when called jugon,