FALSE STATEMENT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20086, 15 November 1930, Page 4

FALSE STATEMENT.

SEAMAN BEFORE COURT. [TBS PKES3 Special Barrice.J DUNEDIN, November 14. The fact that he had falsely rapresentod himself to be a married man with seven dependents in order to obtain work led to the appearance in the Magistrate's Court to-day of Alexander Thorn, who was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond. Chief-Detective Cameron said Thorn, who was a single man, lived with his aged mother. On May 25th, he registered himself at the Labour Department as a married man with seven total dependents and one partial dependent. The Department was acting as agent for the Hospital Board in allotting work and accepted Thorn's statement as correct. He was given several jobs on the understanding that he was a married . man with dependents. As he was a single man he was not entitled to get this work. Thom was formerly a seafaring man and had good discharges. Mr White, who represented the accused, said the case was one of very considerable hardship. Thom was 37 years of age and had been at sea practically all his life. At the end of last year he had to give up his occupation in order to come ashore and look after his mother, who was 82 years of age and in very delicate health. He tried for months to get a job and in the end became desperate and- made this statement. Although he was technically guilty of the offence, the circumstances showed that he was a real trier. His Worship* If this were an ordinary case I would have no hesitation in sending him to gaol. The case was stood down until the afternoon to enable the Magistrate to consider the matter further. When the Court resumed the Magistrate said it was a serious offence to impose on a charitable institution and get benefits which would not otherwise be received. As the defendant had been in custody until the afternoon he would probably be impressed with the gravity of his offence® His Worship intimated thst he did not propose to enter a conviction under the circumstances. The case would be adjonrned for twelve months.