"CONTRITE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1937, Page 9

"CONTRITE."

AGENT IN TROUBLE.

FAVOURABLE REPORTS.

ALLOWED PROBATION.

Alfred Charles Taine, aged 43, commission agent, who pleaded guilty in the Police Court last week to a charge of fraudulently omitting to account to the General Assurance Corporation for a total of £41 received between October 23, 1036, and December 4, 193 C, thereby committing theft, appeared before Mr., Wyvern Wilson, S.M., this morning "for sentence. °

Mr. W. W. Meek, who appeared for Taine, said that Mr. Wilson might have got the impression last week that Taine was working for the insurance company. This was not so, Taine being merely a free lance insurance broker, and not employed by the company. Counsel said that Taine used the money entirely on his living expenses on account of business not coming in as it should have done. He was exceedingly contrite and keenly felt his position and the fact that he had spent five days in prison on remand while awaiting sentence.

"I have before me the report of the Probation Officer, and I may say that it is quite favourable," said Mr." Wyvein Wilson. "The Probation Officer recommends that probation be granted in this case. I take into consideration the fact that Taine is 43, that he is married and has a family, and that he has never been in trouble before: I also give great weight to the fact that he is very strongly recommended by the persons for whom he formerly worked."

"It is only since you have been on your own account that you have lapsed into the trouble which has brought you before me," said the magistrate to Taine." You seem to have been a man of quite good character and conduct."

Mr. Wilson admitted Taine to probation /or two years. As was stated last week, restitution in full had been made.