Big Inroads

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 108, 24 May 1937, Page 6

Big Inroads

SUSTENANCE PAY Magistrate Notes Frauds Are Becoming Numerous N0 P0WER T0 IMPRIS0N Six charges of making false suatenanee declarations were preferred against H. J. Satchell, of Napier, upholsterer, before Mr J. Miller, S.M., in the Napier Magistrate 's Gourt this morning. The Labour Department alleged that defendant had earned £32 18/6 during November and December last year and had received £16 12/6 from the Employment Promotion Fund, Christmas Bonus Fund. and holiday pay when he was entitled to only £1 16/2 of that amount. On each of iive of th© informations laid against him he was flned £5, with 10/- costs, and on the sixth was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. Mr F. G. Field prosecuted for the Labour Department. When the cases were called, the Magistrate commented unfavourably on the fact that the accused did not appear. "He does not seeiu to realise the seriousness of the e position," he said. "If there had not been so much publicity given in aij paris of the Dominion it might be all right, but he should realise how serious this is. There have been tremendous inroads made into the funds by deliberate and systematic frauds. I think he should appear." In a letter to the Court aceuscd said he had just obtained a position and that it was iinperative that he should be at work. He pleaded guilty, although he said he had not meant to commit t'raud.' He had oifered fhree times to make full restitution. Evidence showed that the accused had received relief benefit alniost continually since July, 1932. During this period he had earxied small sumo for odd jobs, these amounts having to be deciared. The adjustment was usually made the following week, each applicant having to fill in a form deelaring his earnings. The informations were laid in respect of the declarations. Evidence called showed that in six declarations the accused had stated hia earnings to be nil, giving various amounts in sustenance through this statement. One correct statement had been made in two months. A total amount of £14 16/4 was received m excess of that to which he was entitled. „ , "It appears that this man gone in for systemarie f raud, ' ' the Bench, "«md I think, seeing that Uere are no many cases now, that rn mdictable offence should be laid against them. In these summary cases I have no power to imprison, and in my fine T must include the amount of the money obtained, thus adding £15 to the first amount. On the first five informations he will therefore be fined £5 each, and on the sixth ordered to come up xor sentence if called upon."