EMBEZZLEMENT CASES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 291, 18 May 1915, Page 8

EMBEZZLEMENT CASES.

THE FALL OF HIGH OFFICIALS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Mav 17. Ernest Alfred Welch, who had pleaded guilty to thefts of Native Land moneys and also had been convicted of the intended theft of a cheque for £790, came up for sentence to-day. Counsel stated that prisoner had been 32 years in the Government employ. He worked his way to a prominent position, and then gave way to drink. In the first pla.e he took money to help his friends, Backing bil's right and left for almost anyone who asked him. Then when default was made on the bills he took money from the Native Department to meet the demands. Mr. Justiuc Hosking sentenced the prisoner to two years' hard labor. Barclay Hector, formerly Registrar of the New Zealand University, who had pleaded guilty to three charges of theft, also came up for sentence. Counsel said that some time ago prisoner took a sum of money from University funds, with the intention of repaying it. He was unable to do so, and some of the thefts were really book manipulations. Prisoner would repay the money taken. His Honor said that was not a matter which could weigh in the imposition of the sentence. He sentenced prisoner to two years' imprisonment with hard labor.