Followed Form on Employer's Cash

NZ Truth, Issue 1211, 14 February 1929, Page 4

Followed Form on Employer's Cash

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Speci POR a period "of four months Robert Eric Dunne supplemented his salary at the rate of close on, £60 per month. Consequently, Messrs. Pidgeon . and 'Co., of Dunedin, have- had to enter up £235 on the black side of their profit - and - loss account. ■ Meanwhile the , gambling fever claims another young victim. At the Dunedin Supreme Court sessions last week, Dunne came fore his honor, Mr. Justice MacGregor, for sentence on a charge of theft from his employers. A feature of Dunne's peculations

said the wife, and she went on to tell of her husband's assaults on her. "He has hit me a number of times, and once I had tog o to the hospital to be treated, m the casualty ward enrough his assault.". Counsel: When was he last drunk? "Yesterday," was Martha's quick answer. Counsel: Is he working now? — No. Where William obtained the money to get drunk was more than the wife knew, tout she < said that he ; would not stop at pawning his shirt. William, from the rear of the court, pooh-poohed the" idea and laughed heartily. Mr. Schramm: He would, pawn his shirt for a beer, would he? — Yes, he would. Counsel: Well, he' wouldn't get a shilling for the one he has on now. "Once he wanted my shoes, so I suppose he wanted to sell them," said the wife. Martha was questioned by counsel as to her religious beliefs, and m, reply to a query said she did not prevent her husband from working on Saturdays, but she always told him that he should not work on the last day of the week. ;' . William would behave, himself quite well and had attended prayer meetings. "I should think he could pray quite well," said Mr. Schramm, looking at the husband. "They tell me that he prays very well. He sings well, too," she said, amidst laughter from the court. But apparently William did

ial Dunedin Representative). was the methodical manner m which he had kept a true record of the amount he appropriated. "Here's a young man — an intelligent, well-educated young business man, deliberately helping himself to his employers' money and spending it on horse racing. "It is too fate to consider probation," .was his honqr/s response to Mr. A. G. Neill's plea, on behalf of accused, for a term of probation. Dunne was ordered to be detained for reformative treatment for a period not to exceed 18 months.

can't get any sleep," he replied to counsel's questions. ' He could get a neighbor to say that he was not a drunkard, and went on to say that "a man need not be drunk to dance the Highland fling." Tney had been happy m. the house until the old lady came to live with them," he declared. Counsel: Are you religious? — .Well, I try to be to the best of my ability, but I can only get casual work because she won't let me work on Saturdays. I am doing °a bit of laboring on the wharf at present. I would be quite happy if she would be happy with me. Mr. Clark: How many times have you been convicted for trespassing on your wife's property? — I couldn't say how many times. 'Counsel: Have you been convicted fifty- nine times? — I couldn't say. Counsel produced a cutting from a daily paper which referred to William as the man who tearfully asked for another chance on the plea that he had decided to lead a Christian life, and William, far from tears this time, admitted that the paragraph was regarding himself. The' magistrate soon found that an order m favor of Martha should be made, but on the question of maintenance it was some time before bench and counsel could agree. "The maintenance will have to be pretty low, I. suppose," said the wife's counsel, and he agreed to the suggestion that William should endeavor to pay her 10/- a week. •