FELL AFTER 28 YEARS

NZ Truth, Issue 1202, 13 December 1928, Page 2

FELL AFTER 28 YEARS

(From "N.Z. Truths, Special Wellington Representative). THE honorable work of a lifetime went for naught when, m - April last, Aston George Edwards, a clerk m the employ of the Wellington Harbor Board for 28 years, succumbed to the temptation to help himself from his employers' funds. Edwards' lapse, after such a lengthy and honorable period of service with the Board, is wholly inexplicable. He held a responsible position. and was highly respected. His remuneration was £7 a week. Before Magistrate Page m the Wellington Police Court, Edwards pleaded guilty to the theft of £127/6/2, money belonging to the Board. He was represented by Lawyer A. J. Mazengarb. . Michael J. Redmond, the Board's chief ledger-keeper, m answer to Chief -detective Ward, stated that Edwards' duty consisted of receiving and entering moneys- paid m. It had been Redmond's custom to balance the accounts every month with Edwards, but he had never counted the cash until October last, when the shortage was discovered. Edwards had admitted having used the Board's money, from whose employ he resigned on October 9. Full restitution of the money had been made. . . , In answer to Counsel, Redmond stated that the shortage would have been discovered m the first month, had the cash been counted. , There was no attempt at falsification of the books. .-■•*'■ , Edwards was. committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. As the chief -detective raised no objection to bail, accused was released on his own recognisance of £100 and surety of a like amount.