CANVASSER DENIES CHARGE OF FRAUD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 392, 28 June 1928, Page 15

CANVASSER DENIES CHARGE OF FRAUD

15 WOMEN PAY PREMIUMS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL Fifteen school teachers and nurses to whom Algernon James Body, aged 56, discoursed on the benefits of insurance, signed contracts for him and paid over their first premiums. The company which Body represented has not yet seen the premium money, and the result was his prosecution at the Police Court to-day. Body pleaded not guilty to 15 charges of failing to account to the Southern Cross Assurance Company, Wellington, for sums amounting to £163 9s 9d. Body, who began work in the Auckland Province last September, travelled the country districts, enrolling 15 women, collecting premiums from them, and giving them hand-written agreements. He promised that policies would be forwarded later. Frederick Reginald Burnham, general secretary of the company, said that a month after Body’s appointment as agent suspicion was aroused because receipts had not been issued in sequence. Then came complaints from people who had been insured but had received no policies. Under his agreement of appointment Body had no right to hold the proposals or premiums in his possession. The arrangement was that he was to receive commission after the premium money was paid to the company. Witness mentioned that all the proposals had been honoured by the company. In a statement to the police, Body said he had not stolen the money, but proposed to return to Wellington in order to bring about a settlement of his affairs with the company. Mr. J. F. W. Dickson, representing accused, entered a plea of rot guilty. Body was therefore committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was raised from £SO to £250.