THEFT FROM LABOUR PARTY FUNDS
BRANCH SECRETARY PUT ON PROBATION (New Zealand Press Association) TAIHAPE, November 4. In ordinary circumstances I would have no hesitation i:i saying you should go to prison for from three to six months or, alternatively and probably better for you, a period of reformative detention for from 18 months to two years,” said Mr W. A. Carson, S.M., when he admitted Ronald Speight Somervell, formerly a railway employee and now a shearer, to two years’ probation. Somervell had pleaded guilty to the theft of £66 15s 3d from the funds of the Taihape branch of the Labour Party. ‘‘l have regard that you have kept out of trouble since 1942, and I do not hold it against you that before that you were almost repeatedly in trouble,” the Magistrate said. “I give you full marks for your efforts to go straight.” Somervell, who was secretary of the Labour Party branch, drew small sums of money from the bank and also failed to pay in subscriptions and donations received. He was ordered to make restitution, and to take out a prohibition order.
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Press, Volume XC, Issue 27499, 5 November 1954, Page 14
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186THEFT FROM LABOUR PARTY FUNDS Press, Volume XC, Issue 27499, 5 November 1954, Page 14
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