MEMBERS WANTED!

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 24, 28 July 1922, Page 11

MEMBERS WANTED!

IA CANVASSER FOR AUTOMOBILE CLUB

RECEIVES SUBSCRIPTIONS AND

KEEPS THEM,

Paying visits to business people and urging them to join with the Wellington" ton Automobile . Club was the duty of a man named Gougo. Leo' Fairchild just re T cently. All would have been well had ha not added to his duties by collecting en-^ try fees and failing to pay in the money to the olub.

• Faironild, 41 years of affe, appeared be: fore Sir. F. K. Hunt. S.M., at the trato's Court yesterday to answer eight charges of theft of sums totalling £9 9s. He- pleaded guilty "The victims' of his operations ,were Dr. H. A. H. Gilmer, Angus Turner. Coutts Bros., Frank D. Muir, A. R-." Johns, Bobert Murphy, John Murphy, and Dr. Usher. Chief- Detective Kemp prosecuted, and tho accused was represented by Mr. C. A: h. Treadwell.

Mr\ Kemp said, that Fairohild was engaged by Mr. H. J. Stott,' eeorctary of the j Wellington " Automobile Club, about March last to. canvass, the city for new members. He was to' receive a commission of 3s on every new member. After | he had induced a member "to jom, Faironild 'would fill up 'an application ' form aiid send it'along'to Stott. No instructions were given him to collect money, but-- Fairohild informed those whom he interyjewed that he had authority to collect the fees, He converted the'money so; collected to his own U6e. ' When apprehended by the detectives Fairohild readily admitted his guilt,' and gave assistance in clearing up the matter. He had had aoortain amount of domestid trouble. \Mv. Hunt: "Yes, J know-all aboutvthat side of the story." "' Mr. Treadwell urged that .the trouble the man had had with his wife had had a depressing ■ effect on him, and he had been led into committing these petty thefts. Fairohild w,ae 41 years of age, and had not previously been in trouble. Coun^ uel thought that a term of probation might be appropriate. Mr. Hunt: "Why should I let him off? If I did I would have to lot everyone else off who committed similar offences." Mr. Treadwell: "There is no. suoh thing, sir, as similarity between offences." Mr. Hunt: "Well, I don't, think his wife has got anything to do with it. We have got to put: a stop to these people going,about the place taking other people down."A month's imprisonment with hard labour." .',"''' ~