CANVASSER'S THEFT

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 10

CANVASSER'S THEFT

FONDNESS J-OR RACING

Betting,- although on a small scale,, was submitted by the Probation Officer (Mr. T. P. Mills) in the Magistrate's, Court to-day to be the probable cause of James Kennedy ■Murphy, a canvasser, aged 31, getting into trouble. Murphy pleaded guilty to a charge of having failed to account for sums of money, totalling £25, received on behalf of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society, Ltd. - . . Chief Detective Ward said that for about a year and eight months past the accused had been employed as a canvasser and collector for the Colonial Mutual LHe Assurance Society,. Ltd., Wellington. Between sth November last and Uth January of this year he had collected a number of premiums, totalling £25, which he should have accounted for to the'society. However, he failed to do so, converting the money to his own use. When questioned by his employers he admitted having misappropriated the money, portion of which, he said had been spent on betting on horse races. / Murphy had lost his employment, and at present said he was unable to make any offer of restitution of the money. The accused had been two years in New Zealand, unr! so far as was known had not. been 'before the Court previously. The Magistrate (Mr. T. B. M'Neil, S.M.), admitted Murphy to twelve months' probation and ordered him,to_ repay the £25 in accordance-with'the directions of the Probation Officer.