"MEAN OFFENCE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 113, 16 May 1933, Page 11

"MEAN OFFENCE."

RATIONS BY FRAUD. WELLINGTON PROSECUTION. COURT GRANTS PROBATION. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Taking the view that the prisoner apparently was the tool of an older head, and that the prosecution was brought to sonic .extent as a warning to others, Mr. Justice Ostler, in the Supreme Court to-day, admitted Keith Bartlctt, aged 21, to probation for obtaining relief rations'from the Wellington Hospital Board by falsely representing that he was the only member of his family who was working. The judge said the offence was mean and dishonest. For years prisoner's family appeared to have been living on charitable aid to which they were not entitled, having, according to papers before him, received hundreds of pounds, while the average earnings of the family had been suflicient to support it without relief.

A condition of probation, his Honor said, was that prisoner should pay the costs of tlie prosecution, £19 10/, within one year. His Honor said lie knew that Bartleet was only able to earn 15/ a week, and the order made would mean hardship, but at the same time he did not think tlie State, through the Hospital Board, after having paid out some hundreds of pounds, should in addition be out of pocket to the extent of £19 16/. If prisoner did not pay he would bo gaoled. His family would have to help him to pay.

In the case of Mona Mildred Bartlctt, sister of Keith Bartlett, charged with obtaining from the Hospital Board shoes and money for rent and coal by false pretences by stating that none- of the family was working, a verdict of not guilty was returned.