THEFT OF PUBLIC MONEY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 192, 12 May 1944, Page 4

THEFT OF PUBLIC MONEY

Clerk Found Guilty (Bj' Telegrapli.—Press Association.) OHRISTCHUHCH, -May 11

When Angus Cameron Jlacfarlane. aged 44, formerly a public servant in the Ministry of Supply, was foundjruilty of theft involving the sum of £327/16/5 in the Supreme Court today, Mr. Justice Northcroft, when dismissing the jury, commented : “I think it a perfectly proper verdict, gentlemen, and one with which I entirely agree.” Maefarlane was remanded for sentence. The jury retired at 3.10 p.m. and returned at 5.30. Maefarlane. who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Mr. F. 1). Sargent. Mj-. A. W. Brown conducted the case for the Crown. There were six charges against Mncfurlane of stealing money, the property of the New Zealand Government. It was alleged that he had stolen £25/14/1 on Anril 29, 1943, £9l/8/10 on May 24, £59/19/- on June 3, £2l/3/- on July 22, £ll7/10/- on August 23, and £2/3/6 on September 2. Mr. Brown said that Maefarlane had been employed as n clerk in the Ministry of Supply from 1942 until he was suspended toward the end of la«t year. During the period of his employment the officer in charge wits C. S. Sapsford. anti accused had been closely associated withhim. It was discovered last vent that fairj.v large sums of money had been stolen from the Government and Saps ford had admitted that he had stolen from time to time, with tho result that he was brought to trial and sentenced to 18 montits' imprisonment with hard labour. He was now serving the sentence. The Crown alleged that Maefarlane tied aided anil abetted Sapsford in the commission of those offences, that they had worked hand in hand and had shared the proceeds.