SHORTENING HIS TERM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1166, 17 April 1884, Page 3

SHORTENING HIS TERM.

A somen I) at peculiar instance of the ' ruling passion' has just been discovered at the Melbourne gaol. It will be remembered that some timo ago a law clerk named Isaac Ogle absconded from the colony, after having falsified the books of his employer, Mr Duffett, solicitor, Collins street west, and misappropriated ne&rly £2O? 0. He was traced to Brighton, En-'an.l, where ha was arrested, and brought back to Vic toriaon anextradition warrant by Seniorconstable Clarke, and on being tried he received a sentence of two years' imprisonment, and was incarcerated in the Melbourne Gaol. Shortly after his admission, Ogle, because of his ability as an accountant, was promoted to the position of clerk, and, it now appears, that as soon as over he beenme acquainted with his duties he at once proceeded to falsify the books and disorganise the displine of the institution by altering the terms of imprisonment

of several prisoners. The practice <v*s continued for some time successfully, hut the watchful eye of Mr Magee, the governor of the gaol, soon discovered the prisoner's misconduct, and it. was nipped in the bud. ]n one case which hiis linen discovered, Ogle appears to have falsified the figures in no less than 12 of the books kept in the office, by which a prisoner named Coates had his sentence reduced some 10 days. The fa'sifieation was carried out in a most systematic manner, and for artistic penmauship it reflected most creditably upon the offender. On the cases be'ng discovered Ogle was brought before Mr Panton, the visiting justice, who sentenced him to three days' imprisonment and deprived him of the usual remission made to prisoners ot good behaviour. Since the offence Ogle has been returned to the prison ward, where he will havn to work out the reminder of his sentence.