HEADMASTER’S LAPSE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1926, Page 4

HEADMASTER’S LAPSE

STOLE A PAIR OF SOCKS. AUCKLAND, September 4. His scholastic career wrecked and his future' ruined, Alfred Chorles Hook, aged fortv-nino, head master of the Mercer School, stood in the doc-k this morning to plead guilty to a charge of having stolen a pair of socks, worth -Is Gd, tike, property of Bendells Ltd., Karaugahaue P.oad. The Chief-Detective said that about 8.30 o’clock last evening Ilook was detected, stealing a pair of socks. When spoken to by a detective sergeant he first stated that he was examining the hose with the intention of purchasing, However, he later admitted he had stolen the socks. flic accused was a widower and had been in the service of the Education Board lor the past twenty-five years. He was at present headmaster of the Alerter School. Hook was worth .£10(10. and, when arrested, had L'3,7 Its Gd in Ids pockets. " This is a most difficult ease 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 Uendell’s lias was seen to place a pair of socks up his sleeve. The socks were no use to him. for they were light in weight and not the soit worn by accused. Hook served foi over two years' with the mounted troops in Palestine. He contracted malarial fever on service. Since his return he'has suffered from fever and consulted doctors about it frequently. His career is now absolutely wrecked. He will be dismissed, ancl his future ruined, so I will ask your Worship to treat him leniently and consider suppressing his name. 11c has already been punished tremendously.” Mr "Ppynton: He could not have keen a thief before. Counsel: That is so. Here is a man of forty-nine wlio wrecks liis whole life over a miserable pair of socks worth 4s Gd. I am sure a sudden impulse must have overcome him. The Chief-Detective: 1 would like to say that his conduct was under suspicion, and he was watched, with the result that lie was caught. If his name is suppressed it will only cast suspicion on every other headmaster in the Board’s service. Mr P. yvten: It would be impossible to suppress tho accused’s name. Although’ be is a first offender, people, would only sav the name was suppressed because lie was a wealthy man. Fame Rumour would get busy and many tongues would wag. Counsel: 1 would seriously ask your worship not to send the accused to gaol. Mr povutou: Oh, no, I would not think of sending him to gaol. He fl’.as been severely punished already. He has lost his position while there is also the disgrace to be laced. 1 ieel veij sorry for him. Ho will he convicted and discharged.