POSTMASTER’S THEFT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1928, Page 2

POSTMASTER’S THEFT

—— By Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. WHANG AUK I, Feb. 29. Win. .John McKornan and bis wife, Caroline Lavina Maud. AlcKernan, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court at Whangarei to-day on charges of theft ;l t Wliakapara Post Office of postal notes of a total value of £8 bs 9d, of which 15s 2d bad been recovered. It was alleged that notes for various amounts up to £l Ox 3d had disappeared on different dates in the latter part of January, and the first week of I-V-bruarv. The nosnnotor was further charged with failing to account, for £ls. which had been deposited on January 30th. to the credit of Edna Heed’s Post Office account ; and also for a further sum of £.5 Is Bid. UK wife was charged with receiving stolen postal notes. Both accused pleaded guilty. The evidence of ail inspector of the P. and T. Department disclosed that each had admitted the thefts in a statement. Counsel said the fiostul notes had been taken by the wife, who was in had health. AlcKernan had at first taken the blame on himself. He should have looked after the office better, but Counsel asked that lie- lie dealt with leniently. Later in tbe day Hie Magistrate admitted the male accused to three .years’ probation on the charge ol stealing £.5 |s and sentenced him to six months’ detention for reformative treatment on the charge of stealing £l-5. No further sentence was passed regarding the other charges. 11l the case of the accused woman who came in to receive sentence looking very ill. she was admitted to probation for three years. The Magistrate was in the middle of his remarks, when, without warning. ll:e ai l used collapsed on the floor. She wax carried out of the Court), where attempts to revive her were made for several minutes, after which a doctor was telephoned for.