CAREER WRECKED

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 11

CAREER WRECKED

THEFT OF PAIR OF SOCKS

HEADMASTER PLEADS GUILTY.

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day,

Hia scholastic career wrecked, and his future ruined, Alfred Charles Hook (49), headmaster of Mercer School, stood in the dock this morning and pleaded guilty to a charge of hay ing stolen a pair of socks worth 4s 6d, the property of Rendells Ltd. Karangahape road. The chief detective said about 8.30 last evening Hook was detected stealing a pair of socks. When spoken to by a detective-sergeant he first stated that he was examining the socks with the intention.of purchasing them. However, he later admitted that he had stolen them. The accused was a widower and had been in the service of the Education Board for the past 25 years. He was at present headmaster of the Mercer School. Hook was worth £4000, and when arrested had £37 11s 6d in his pockets. "This is a most difficult case to explain," said counsel. "Hook has been in the employ of the board for a quarter of a century, and has had a most honourable career, never before being involved in trouble of any kind. Last night, when in Eendells, he was seen to place a pair of socks up his sleeve. The socks were of no use to him, for they were light in weight and not tho sort worn by him. Hook served for over two years with the mounted troops in Palestine, and contracted malaria on ,service. Since his return he has suffered from the fever and ims ensuited doctors about it frequently. His career is now absolutely wrecked. He will be dismissed and his future is ruined, so I will ask your Worship to treat him leniently, and consider the suppressing of his name. He has already been punished tremendously." Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M.: "He could not have been a thief before." Counsel: "That is so. Here is a man of 49, who wrecks his whole life over a miserable pair of socks worth 4s 6d. I am sure the sudden impulse must have overcome him." The Chief Detective: "I would not like to say that his conduct was under suspicion, and that he was watched, with the result that he was caught. If the name is suppressed it will only cast suspicion on every other headmaster in the board's service." Mr. Poynton: "It would be impossible to suppress the accused's name, although he is a first offender. People would only say the name was suppressed because he was a wealthy man. Dame Rumour would get busy and ! many tongues would wag." Counsel: "I would seriously ask your Worship not to send the accused to gaol." Mr. Poynton: "Oh, no! I would not think of sending him to gaol. He has been severely punished already. He has lost his position, and there is also the disgrace to be faced. I feel very sorry for him. He will be convicted and discharged."