RELIEF WORKER'S FRAUD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1932, Page 9

RELIEF WORKER'S FRAUD.

POSED AS MARRIED MAN. MAGISTRATE'S WARNING. Thomas Warden Morning, aged 27, a labourer, appeared at the Police Court this morning wheS he pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining sums totalling £24 12/, .between April 27, 1931, and February 5, 1932, from the Unemployment Board by falsely stating that he was a married man living with his wife.

Detective Sergeant Kelly said Morning, during the time he worked on relief jobs, was paid £4(1 10/, whereas being a single man, he was only entitled to £22 0/4.

"This man finishes a sentence to-day imposed for looting," added Mr. Kelly.

"Was he keeping another woman?' 1 asked Mr. Hunt.

"No, he is single and keeps nobody/'' said Mr. Kelly.

A minister who had known accused since he was a boy made a plea on his behalf. When he realised that he had done wrong, Morning left relief work. He always seemed to be a decent, honest man—

Mr. Hunt: What do you think of him defrauding the board like this, and also looting?—He did not realise he was doing wrong. He picked something up in the street and later returned it. He can now get a job if he is given a chance.

The magistrate placed Morning on probation for twelve months, and ordered him to repay the money.

"It's only because yon are finishing a sentence that I'm not sending you back," ho said. "Don't let me see yon here again."