The Ruling Passion

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 44, 15 April 1884, Page 3

The Ruling Passion

♦ . Some time ago s lair clerk named Isaac Ogle absconded from Victoria, after having falsified the books of his employer, and misappropriated nearly £2000. He was traced to Brighten. England, where he was arrested and- brought back to Victoria, and on being tried he received a sentence of two years' imprisonment, and was incarcerated m the Melbourne Gaol. Shortly after his admission. Ogle, because of bis ability as an accountant, was promoted to the position of cJerk, and it now appears that as soon at ever he became acquainted with his duties he at once proceeded to falsify the books and disorganise thediscipline of the institution : \>Y altering tli« terms of imprisonment of \ several prisoners. The practice was continued for some time successfully, but the watchful eye of Mr Magee, governor of the gaol, soon discovered the prisoners misconduct, and it was nipped in the bu.i. In one cas© which has been discovered, Ogle appears to have falsified the figures of no fewer than 12 of the books kept in the office, by which a prisoner named Coates had his sentence reduced some 10 days. The falsification was carried out in a most systematic manner, and for artistic penmanship it reflected most creditably on the offender. On the case being discovered. Ogle was sentenced to three days' imprisonment and deprived of the usual remission made to prisoners for good behaviour. Since the offence, Ogle has bean returned to the prison ward, where he will have to work out the remainder of his sentence.