CANVASSING PEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 832, 28 November 1929, Page 16

CANVASSING PEST

S.M. AND HOUSE-TO-HOUSE SELLING

PRISONER’S OCCUPATION Some stringent remarks about house-to-house canvassers were made at the Police Court this morning by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., when Earl John Conrad Craven was charged with obtaining money by false pretences. jy£R. SMYTH reminded the magistrate that canvassing was a legitimate occupation, to which Mr. Hunt replied that he was only too well aware of it. “I wish it were not/* he said. Craven, a salesman aged 24, pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining £3 from Frederick Styles on October 15 by means of a valueless cheque. Chief-Detective Hammond was of the opinion that, although he had an account' at the bank, Craven was fully aware of his position before issuing j the cheque. He had no funds. Mr. Smyth said that Craven was not aware of the position, and took a chance. After issuing the cheque he had immediately written to the i bank to ascertain the position. He was then informed that he had no I funds. Mr. Hunt: He has just done a month for a, breach of his probation. Mr. Smyth: That was only for not reporting. Since coming out of gaol he has reported and he now has a steady position. Staff-Captain Holmes, of the Salvation Army, said that accused was a member of a respectable family. It was allowing him to have a cheque book that had caused the trouble. Learning that accused was engaged in house-to-house canvassing, the magistrate asserted that he and his sort were pests. “I have found when I have been at home during an afternoon that they never give one a minute’s peace,” he added. Craven, who had been admitted to > probation under the care of the Wellington office, was admitted to probation in order that the Auckland Probation Officer could make inquiries about him.