OVER FIFTY THEFTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 42, 12 May 1927, Page 1

OVER FIFTY THEFTS

TRAVELLER’S ADMISSION DESERTED HIS WIFE “It’s about time some of these husbands were prosecuted and given three months!” Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. wasted no sympathy this morning on Percy Hugh Reckenzaum, who ran away from hib wife last January and was subsequently arrested in Palmerston North. Reckenzaum appeared in the Police Court yesterday and was remanded to to-day for sentence. In the meantime no fewer than 54 charges of theft had been preferred against nim. He admitted them all Chief-Detective Cummings explained the matter. Reckenzaum had been employed as a canvasser by an Auck land publishing firm, to tour the Waikato and southern districts. He was authorised to collect 25 per cent, commission from his takings and send the rest on to Ifead office. He went away early in March, toured extensively, “doing” Hamilton. Cambridge, Rotorua. Gisborne, Wairoa. Napier, Hastings and Palmerston North in turn. He collected £57 altogether, but his firm received not a penny of the £42 15s 2d that was due after Reckenzaum’s commission had been deducted. While he was away he sent nothing to his wife either. Mrs. Reckenzaum had apparently bad enough of her husband for she asked the court to make a separation* maintenance, and guardianship order against him. The magistrate did so, and ordered the man to pay £2 a week toward the support of his wife and 11-year-old son. “I think he should have three months for deserting his wife, apart from the thefts,” was Mr. Hunt's comment as he remanded Reckenzaum til ? to m * for sentence.