B. —1 [PT. ll].

VIII

STATEMENT OF IRREGULARITIES IN CONNECTION WITH PUBLIC MONEYS AND STORES—continued.

I I Nature of Irregularity. involved ' Action taken, and Result. Pensions Department. IRREGULARITIES BY PERSONS NOT DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS. £ 8. d. False declaration by war pensioner in regard to .. Offender convicted and ordered to pay costs of the earnings prosecutions—viz., £1 13s. False and misleading statements by husband of 177 13 4 Offender convicted and ordered to refund the amount deceased war pensioner resulting in overpay- wrongly withdrawn. The amount was refunded ment of pension immediately. False declaration by war pensioner that he was 43 6 8 Offender pleaded guilty and was convicted and disunemployed, resulting in over-payment of his charged. The pensioner refunded the amount economic and wife's pensions prior to conviction. False declarations by war pensioner that his 39 0 0 Offender convicted and fined £5. The overpayment income was nil although he was in employ- of £39 has been recouped by suspending payment ment, resulting in overpayment of his econo- of pension for three months. mic and wife's pensions False declarations by widow regarding income 312 2 6 Offender convicted and fined £5 on one charge, for pension purposes, resulting in overpayment convicted and discharged on five other charges, of pension and ordered to refund the amount overpaid. False declarations by widow regarding income 47 0 0 Offender convicted and fined £5 and 10s. Court costs for pension purposes, resulting in overpayment on one charge, convicted and discharged on five of pension other charges, and ordered to refund the amount overpaid. False declaration by old-age pensioner that he 216 6 8 Offender convicted and fined £10 and ordered to had only £22 in the Savings-bank when he had refund the amount overpaid. £233 there, resulting in overpayment of pension False declaration by war pensioner in regard to 26 0 0 Accused pleaded guilty. Case adjourned sine die earnings conditional on pensioner refunding the amount overpaid at rate of 10s. weekly. Theft of cash-box containing departmental cash 41 4 4 Police were unable to trace the offenders. Two clerks held to be responsible for the safe custody of the cash have been called upon to make good the amount. Post and Telegraph Department. IRREGULARITIES BY DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS. Loss arising from counter clerk in Parcels Branch 110 0 Offender pleaded guilty, was admitted to probation using previously-used stamps for two years and ordered to make restitution. Dismissed from the service. No loss to Department. Theft of scrap lead and scrap copper by a lineman 45 0 0 Offender pleaded guilty and was sentenced to im prisonment for four months with hard labour. Restitution made of £31 4s. 6d. Loss to Department, £13 15s. 6d. (a). Dismissed. Theft of postal packets, containing chocolates, by .. Offender admonished and discharged. Dismissed, message-boy Theft of letter by postmen's sorter .. .. 2 15 0 Offender pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two months' hard labour. Recovery was effected, and no loss accrued to the Department. Dismissed. Loss arising through money-order failing to 14 0 0 Matter placed in hands of police, but insufficient reach addressee, and through savings-bank information obtained to warrant proceedings being deposit not being accounted for taken. Loss to Department, £5 (a). Theft by postman of postal packets containing .. Offender pleaded guilty and was admitted to propostal notes, foe. bation for two years and ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution. Restitution made. Dismissed. Theft of letters by postman.. .. .. .. Offender pleaded guilty and was sentenced to twelve months' Borstal detention. Restitution has been made. Dismissed. Theft of savings-bank deposits by exchange cleric 17 0 0 Offender found guilty and admitted to three years' probation; ordered to make restitution and pay costs of prosecution. Restitution has been made. Dismissed. Opening of postal packets by Assistant Super- , .. Offender found, guilty and sentenced to eighteen visor months' reformative detention. No loss to Department. Dismissed. Theft by a clerk in the Parcels Branch by manipu- 86 2 0 Offender admitted to probation for a period of three iating the stamps on parcels and by over- years and ordered to make restitution. The charging members of the public for postage on amount has been recovered. Dismissed. parcels Theft of letters and postal packets by cadet .. 9 7 6 Offender pleaded guilty and was ordered to be detained in a Borstal Institution for a period of two years and to make restitution. No money was lost to Department. Dismissed. Theft of letters by departmental employee .. 3 0 0 Offender pleaded guilty and was admitted to probation for two years on condition that restitution was made, and that the costs of the prosecution were paid. No money was lost to Department. Dismissed. Misappropriation by clerk of moneys received 82 10 9 Offender sentenced to three months' imprisonment by him on behalf of the State Advances De- with hard labour. Restitution was made. Dispartment missed. IRREGULARITIES BY PERSONS NOT DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS. Theft of postal notes and cash by burglars who . 11 2 11 Matter placed in hands of police. Postmaster rebroke into Te Uku Post-office 1 | quired to make good the loss of cash. No loss to Department. (a) Amount requires to be written oft with parliamentary authority under section 3 (3), Public Revenues Act, 1920.