LOST A BUSINESS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1932, Page 8

LOST A BUSINESS

DRINK THE TROUBLE

VALUELESS CHEQUES

ISSUED

"1 his man was in quite a fair way of business in this city, bnt drink seems to have got him, and he has lost it/ said Detective-Sergeant Revell " at' the Police Court to-day, when-Daniel Campbell, aged 40, pleaded guilty. i>efore Mr. E. Pago, S.M., to seven charges of obtaining money and other goods by means of valueless cheques; He also admitted a charge of obtaining £2 by false pretences. The total amount involved was £1910s.

Mr. Revell said that the accused opened an account at the Bank of New Zealand on 21st August and closed it in the following month. After he had closed the account he issued five valueless cheques at Wellington arid Petone, and two more at Christchurch. He then went to Diraedin, where he obtained £2 from Eeilly's Central Produce Mart by falsely representing that he was an employee of Marris and Campbell. The accused, said Mr. Revell, had never-been before the Court previously. '-..-.

Counsel for the accused said that for some time past Campbell had been addicted to drink. When he was not drunk he was a most respectable citizen. With a view to overcoming his- drink habit the accused, for nine or ten months prior to August, had been living in the country When he came to Wellington he fell into somewhat questionable company, started drinking, and altogether lost his balance. After the offences had been committed he obtained employment as a gardener in Central Otago. His. employer was so satisfied with his work that he was willing to take him back and pay his fare from Wellington.

Mr. Page sentenced the accused to probation for two years on condition that lie abstained from liquor and made restitution at a rate to be fixed by the Probation Officer. '