MONEY TAKEN

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1929, Page 2

MONEY TAKEN

WAS IT A THEFT? (By Telegraph—Pree« Association). AUCKLAND, August 15. In the Police Court, two Govern-, ment officials, serving in different Departments, were charged with theft. A man, aged 47, employed as a qlerk -by tiho Railway Department whose .name was suppresed, was charged with stealing £l6B from the booking office. Mr W. Thompson, Assistant Stationmaster at Auckland, said that the accused was Booking Clerk, and was in charge up till July Ist last, when witness carried out. the usual audit, and discovered a cash deficit of £167 55." The accused explained he took £l6B on June 28th and asked that the matter be overlooked and he would replace the money next day. The money he took was for an •urgent payment. His wife had money, and he thought that he could arrange it. On July 2nd he duly refunded the money as he had undertaken to do. There was no evidence of any falsification of the books, and no evidence of steps to cover up the shortage. Everything else was found in correct order, as a subsequent a*udit amplified on July sth. The

accused had volunteered a written signed statement at the time. The accused had served 30 years with the Department, and his salary was £3BO per annum. Replying to counsel for accused, witness said that he had known the accused for 29 years. The accused had been in the booking job.l’or two years, and his service had been satisfactory, '.his hooks ( being all well ket. Accused said w,*hen the sum wps missed that he had money and could replace it at once.' The accused, vVho pleaded not guilty, and 'yeserved his defence, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in one surety, self of £2OO, and one of £2OO. . POSTAL CLERK’S THEFT. AUCKLAND, August 15. Harold James Henry Smith, aged 38 years, postal clerk, pleaded guilty to stealing a letter containing four one pound notes, and a postal note for ss, and on August Bth a postal packet containing £2 10s in money. In a statement to the police, the accused attributed his lapse to a sudden temptation, prompted by having some house bills to pay. The accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, bail being allowed.