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NZ Truth, Issue 1211, 14 February 1929, Page 4

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Counsel's Plea For Postmen VERY LAZY ((From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Rep.) An instance of colossal laziness, calculated to shake public confidence m the efficiency of the postal seryice, came before • the Police Court m Christchurch the other day when two letter carriers were charged, with the wilful detention of postal packets. * "THE men concerned were Isaac Cecil 1 Ward, aged 30, and William Charles Ratray, aged 28, both of whom pleaded guilty to the charges. The packages comprised a few bundles of letters, mostly half-penny correspondence, which out of sheer lazi- : ness had not been delivered. ! There was no question of dishonesty, and neither of the men, when interviewed by Detective- sergeant Young, could offer any explanation for their lapse, beyond that they had been busy, and had neglected to deliver the letters, and that some of the people had not been home. "Mr. C. S. Thomas, counsel for Rati*ny, naively observed that the addressees Avould probably be delighted not to have l-eceived the letters since they were mostly of the half-penny variety. Counsel commented on the fact that the offence was primarily a breach of contract, and. converting such a breach into a criminal offence was departing from the ordinary principles of law and justice. „.•-•■■■• Ratray, said counsel, had lost his wife and child m the sanitarium quite recently, which accounted for his worry and subsequent carelessness. . Mr. A. A. McLiachlan, who appeared for Ward, said his client had been suffering from sleeplessness through extreme financial worry. A plea to suspend conviction so. as to avoid the two' accused having to forfeit their positions, was ignored by, the Magistrate, Mr, E. D. Mosley, who entered convictions and fined each accused £3. .