FARM HAND'S LAPSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 58, 9 March 1932, Page 8

FARM HAND'S LAPSE.

BUYING MOTOR CYCLE.

BANK DEPOSIT OF £1

-VALUELESS CHEQUE ISSUED.

'"The whole trouble in thus case is that this young man started an account at a bank with £1 and was given a cheque book. Such a thing is not right, and if banks do such a foolish thing it only put<s temptation in the way of young men," said Staff Captain Holmes, of the Salvation Army, at the Police Court to-day when he made a plea for Tom Mulliiieaux.

Mullineaux, a farm hand, aged 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining from Jam.ee Harold Radcliffe a motorcycle valued at £54 5/ by means of a valueless cheque for £10.

Staff Captain Holmes said accused came to New Zealand from England under the Salvation Army's scheme. He was working on a farm and had a good record, but on one occasion he was decoyed, or lured away by a woman. However, he was persuaded to return. By paying only £1 into a bank he was supplied with a cheque book. The bank should not have supplied him with a cheque book for euch a small deposit The farmer who still employed acso-sed said he was a good boy and was willing to take him back.

Detective Sergeant Kelly said accused came to Auckland and bought a cyclt worth £o4 5/ on the time payment system. He paid a deposit with a cheque for £10 and received £1 in change. Several days later accused left the motor cycle, slightly damaged, in another city garage, and told the owners of the cycle where it could be found. He had never been in trouble before.

"I don't think it was a woman so much as it was the motor cycle that was the trouble," said Sir. F. K. Hun*;, S.M. He added that it was foolish for any bank to issue a cheque book to a youth of 20 who made euch a smi'll deposit.

Mullineaux was admitted to probation for 12 months and was ordered to make restitution.