TOWN CLERK’S LAPSE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1932, Page 6

TOWN CLERK’S LAPSE

£llOO APPROPRIATED

COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE

(By Telegraph —ter tress Association,

WELLINGTON, March 24

James William Harbord had nothing to say further, than admitting the charge, when he appeared in the Pet-one Court to answer .to the theft of sums totalling £lll4 3s Id, the property of the Upper Hutt Borough Council, by whom he was employed as Town Clerk.

Evidence of a Detective said that accused with about £6OO had gone into a butchery business at Upper Butt, and he understood that was recoverable, but the lost was spent on private debts, and only twelve shillings and sixpence was left. Accused had gone out of his way to assist in straightening the affairs since his arrest. Accused was committed for sentence. MAN" WITH SEVEN CHARGES. MENTALITY TO BE EXAMINED. CHRISTCHURCH, March 24. Seven charges were preferred against Hugh Francis Haughey, a labourer, aged twenty, this /morning, including the theft of a revolver, carrying a revolver, converting a motor car, obtain-' ing credit by /fraud, and three charges of theft.

“Obviously there is some mental instability” said the Magistrate, Mr E. D. Mosley, in remanding accused for a week for medical examination.

Haughey pleaded guility to all charges, except that of the theft of the reviolver, on which he was convicted after evidence had been heard. The money had been stolen from relatives.