THEFT FROM MAORI DEPARTMENT

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27410, 24 July 1954, Page 9

THEFT FROM MAORI DEPARTMENT

cLerk admitted to PROBATION

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 23.

A 39-year-old clerk in the Maori Affairs Department, Arania Amohau, was released on probation for two years by Mr J. Drummond S.M., in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court today, on condition that he restores £6l 10s which he misappropriated from the department. The accused was a records clerk whose duty it was to open the mail and record the amounts received by the department, said Senior-Detective W. S. Craigie. Amohau had begun retaining the letters with money in them, and making up the deficit when he received his salary. The time had finally come when he could not pay back the money.

When interviewed, Amohau had admitted the charge, said Senior-Detec-tive Craigie. The accused had found himself in the financial difficulties common to all people with large families and low incomes, said Mr J. B. O’Regan, who appeared for him. He had taken the money over 12 months, and had endeavoured to pay it back each time from his wages envelope. He was now in a position to return the £6l 10s which he owed the department. Amohau had done yeoman work for the welfare of the Maoris, and it would be a grave predicament to Maori morale if his name was made known, said counsel. Under the circumstances, he could hot order suppression of the accused’s name, said the Magistrate.