ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1931, Page 6

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES

VICTIM OF DEPRESSION. TIMARU, August 18. “I’d wor kmy fingers off to make restitution, but I cannot do so on 10s a week,” said a man who appeared in the Police Court to-day on a charge of obtaining £lO by false pretences. Unfortunately for the accused he pleaded guilty, so that the presiding Justice, although stating that they had every reason to believe that accused had been offered the money to assist him without any suggestion on his part, had. to convict accused According to the police story the

cused was an English civil engineer whom unfortunate circumstances and lack of work had caused to accept labouring work at 10s per week on a South Canterbury farm. Accused’s name was suppressed and he was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within twelve months and. to make restitution of (the money. The Bench remaked that the case, if any, as one for civil action. The charge against accused was of obtaining £lO from A. L.. Macdonald, Otaki, a former employer, by representing that he had money coming from Australia and .England.

Senior-Sergeant Mathieson said that accused was an Englishman and arrived from Australia eight months ago. The depression had lost him the high positions he had held as a civil engineer and he had bee nunable to get- a fresh .start in New Zealand. For 10s ,a week and his keep he had been working from daylight to dark for a farmer in the district. .When he had obtained the £lO from Macdonald he was right up against it. “A case where needs must when the devil drives,” said the Probation Officer (Mr 0. M’Kessar). Accused had received a Ittter from Australia stating that his fare might be forthcoming, and on the strength of this assurance he had obtaied the £lO from Macdonald.

Accused endorsed this. He said that M'&cdonald had volunteered to give him the £lO on his showing him the letter It was Macdonald’s suggestion. He had never asked for it, and had been told that lie could return it when he got to Australia.

The Bench said there did not seem ang suggestion of false pretence. Senior-Sergeant Mathieson reminded the Justices that accused had pleaded guilty and they could not dismiss the case. Mr D. M’Lennan J.P.: It is strange that, when a man accepts money offered, him he should he tried on a c imirial charge. .

Senior-Sergeant Mathieson said that he understood that the Otaki police were of the opinion that they could prove a prima facie case of false pretences. Besides, accused had pleaded guilty and elected to be dealt with at Timaru.

Accused was ordered to come up for sentence and make restitution at the discretion .of the Probation Officer. His name was suppressed.