“GET RICH QUICK"

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 957, 28 April 1930, Page 1

“GET RICH QUICK"

DETENTION FOR POWERBOARD SECRETARY GAMBLING SCHEME FAILS “You were in a position of trust and it must be made plain that men in your position must honour that trust. I fancy you thought you had got hold of some ‘get-rich-quick’ method, but as with anyone else who indulges in gambling for that purpose, you had a fall.” This comment was made by Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court this morning when he sentenced Victor Daniel Wlsneaky to three years’ reformative detention on five charges of theft, while secretary of the Waitomo Power Board. Mr. E. Mackersey, representing prisoner, said that Wisnesky had always borne a good character. In March of 1929 there was serious illness in his family and he overdrew his wages In order to cope with the expenses entailed. By October 29 he had overdrawn a sum .of £l2O. Later when he was In Auckland he met a man whom he knew well while in camp, and whom lie had always considered as being wealthy and interested in racehorses. On returning to Te Kuiti he came to an arrangement with his friend to invest money with bookmakers, without giving knowledge of the original source of the information. In the first three weeks he won £9O. The temptation was too great for him and he indulged in heavy betting, but the information did not continue to prove so successful and he lost money. Mr. Mackersey said that prisoner did not seek probation as he could not face his fellow-citizens again. He was held in the highest esteem by members of the Waitomo Power Board and the people of Te Kuiti. He felt keenly the degradation and humiliation he had brought on his wife and family. Mr. Mackersey made a plea for reformative detention.