SOLD ASSIGNED GOODS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 236, 5 October 1936, Page 8

SOLD ASSIGNED GOODS.

GROUND ENGINEER'S THEFTS. REMANDED" FOR SENTENCE. 1 1 A qualified aero ground, engineer, Richard Dyer Downey, aged 37, made a voluntary appearance in the Police Court this morning when he was charged with stealing, between September 9 and September 23, a quantity of tools, a pair of aero wheels, an dero collapsible boat and four wood-working machines, of a total value of £44 3/11, the property of John Burns and Company, and, on September 25, with stealing an aero magneto worth £27 15/, the property of the same firm.

Detective-Sergeant McHuglisaid Downey entered business as a ground engineer last February, and purchased most of Jlis- machinery and tools from John Burns and Company. His business did not prosper as he had hoped, and in June last Downey found himself in financial difficulties. On June 12 he assigned the whole of his estate to John Burns and Company for the benefit of his creditors, his assets including a large contract held by him for the repairing of "two aeroplanes. He had not been able to fulfil this contract, but he was employed by his creditors 'at a wage of £4 to do the work. He was allowed the use of portion of the machinery he had bought on hire purchase, also the tools he had assijrned, the profits from the work to be used for the benefit of creditors. On September 16 he was suspended on account of his unsatisfactory workmanship, and on September 26 it came to the knowledge of John Burns and Company that Downey had been selling portion of the tools and machinery. At first he denied this, but later he frankly admitted it and offered to give himself up to the police. Mr. McHugh said all the goods had been recovered. Downey was a married man with five children, and said he was unable to make restitution of £40, and that drink was his downfall. The magistrate asked that a report should be obtained from the probation officer, and remanded Downey until next week for sentence.