FARMER'S TROUBLES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 208, 2 September 1937, Page 11

FARMER'S TROUBLES.

FRAUD CHARGE BROUGHT. ■ i EX-SOLDIER FOR SENTENCE. i Appearing on summons in the Police Court to-day, James Maxwell Young (54) pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining £18 from Edward Edwin Hoar by falsely representing that seven cows and six calves were his own property and unencumbered. He was represented, by Mr. George Skelton. Detective F. C. Alpin produced a statement made by Young, in which he said he had six children whose agee ranged from five to eighteen years, two being cripples. He was a returned soldier, and drew a penson of £3 5/ per month, his wife receiving a pension of £4 13/ per month. Three years ago he took up farming at Eltham, but 18 months later walked off the farm, losing everything.

"After that he took over a farm at Albany," said Detective-Sergeant Walsh, "and, petting into financial difficulties, obtained a loan of £40 by giving a bill of sale over his stock. Subsequently, when he again found himself in difficulties, he sold some of his stock for £28 to a man named Thompson, but he sold the same stock to another man for £18. No complaint has been received from Thompson or the moneylender. Young has repaid £7 to Thompson, and the cattle have since been sold to defray grazing expenses."

Young, who had never previously been in trouble, was convicted, Mr. Wyvern Wibon, S.M.. postponing sentence for one week so that a report might be obtained from the probation officer.