FRAUD ALLEGED

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 58, 10 March 1933, Page 8

FRAUD ALLEGED

£SQ£:ffiJ^IJEF

CHARGES AGAINST FAMILY

HOSPITAL BOARD CASE

Allegations that in three years relief and rations to the total value of £498 4s 6d had been obtained from the AYellington Hospital Board by means of false representations were made in the Magistrate's Court today, when charges against, two of the four members of a family said to be concerned were, dealt with. Mr. E. Page, S.M., was on the Bench, ami Mr. A. J. Mazengarb appeared for the board. The defendants, who pleaded not guilty., were not represented by counsel. Three charges were made against Mona Bartlett of being a rogue and vagabond in that she obtained rent, coal, boots, and shoes by falsely representing that none of the family was working, and. that her father was unable to pay the rent. Her brother, Keith Bartlett, was charged with being a rogue and-vagabond in respect of two alleged offences of obtaining rations of a total value of £2 lis by falsely representing„that he was the only member of the family working. Alfred James Bartlett and Maud Bartlett, father and mother ■ respectively of the other defendant's, did not appear, and a medical certificate that they were unable to attend was produced. The former was charged with being a rogue and vagabond in that he obtained £1 5s 6d by falsely representing that he was unable to work, and there were two similar charges against Mrs. Bartlett, who was alleged to have falsely represented that Keith Bartlett was the only member of the family working". The cases against Mona and Keith Bartlett were proceeded with. Mr. Mazengarb said that the informations' were laid under the Police Offences Act, and it might- be contended that the time limit of six months had expired if the defendants elected summary trial. He submitted that the Court might deal with the cases as' indictable cases having regard to the circumstances. BOARD'S CASE STATED. The informations - alleged offences committed by members of the family between April, 1929, and August, 1932, said Mr. Mazengarb. During the .whole of that period rent-and rations had been supplied by the board on the definite _ representation that the family 'was in distressed circumstances, and that the only income was the 15s •earned on relief work by Keith Bartlett. It was alleged that the methods adopted were so complete . that, although the Bartletts were visited each month by officers of the board, no .suspicion was aroused until July of last year. Inquiries were- then instituted, but -they frere met with evasions, and nothing definite was obtained until October. It was suggested that'as a result of the inquiries made the mother was put on-her guard, and on, October 17 she wrote to the board to the effect that two of the boys were working. It would be shown that one of the boys had been working: for sis'years and that another had been, in constant employment since November, 1^30: also that Mona Bartlett had,been in'some ..employment, and that Alfred Bartlett had been employed at the Patea freezing works. '■•'"• '.'■■' .' .- .Jf* September, 1929, to October, 1932, rent and rations to the value of ( £498 4s 6d had been granted ,to the family by the board, continued Mr. Mazengarb. That amount was exclusive of clothing, bedding, and medicine. It would be shown that the lowest weekly income of. the.' family during the period was £6 lis, and the highest £11 16s • 6d, combining wages and grants by the board. . In addition, grants were made by other sources Mr. Mazengarb submitted that charges of. -false pretences should be made against the defendants. The Magistrate intimated that he would deal with the charge's indictably. EVIDENCE OF RELIEF GIVEN. An officer employed by the relief! depot Of the board gave evidence of haying-granted Keith Bartlett two amounts totalling. £2 lis for rations in July and August, 1932, on the.latter s representation that his family's sole income^was 15s a week. Between the two'occasions, witness saw the defendant at a Hutt Park trotting meeting. On being asked for the /ent book, Bartlett said that his father had it. Anne-Leila Gray, a visiting officer of -the board, said that when she visited the defendants' house in July last Mrs. Bartlett said that her husband's health was unchanged, and that the only member of the family working wa3 the sonKeith, who was on relief work. Witness recommended the granting of rent and rations. •..-■'' • George Percy Pettigiew, accountant to the Patea Farmers' Co-operative Freezing Co., said that Alfred James Bartlett was-employed by the* company from December, 1931, to October, 1932. Apart from odd' days off and short periods when he was on compensation Bartlett was in constant employment. ' His total earnings were £189 llslOd. • ■ .- . . William D. Smith, 'accountant to J. C. Hutton (N.Z.), Ltd., said that since October, 1930, a brother of Keith Bartlett had been employed.by the firm. His total earnings to date were £172 16s. '" ■ _ Albert L_ Cook, manager of Cook and Sons, coopers, said that a member, of the .family. Lionel Bartlett, had been employed by the firm under its present name for the past three years, and had received a total of £299 7s 6d, his average ' weekly earnings beine £1 12s 6d. Dr. Christina Findlater said that in April, 1932, she was called to the Bartlett house. The defendant Mona Bartlett said that-her- father had been suffering, from heart'attacks for some years and was not able, to do any work. She also said that her father had had a seizure a few days before while in the country. Witness thought his appearance Was consistent with the daughter's statement. She gave a certificate recommending the family to the relief authorities . and setting out Mrs. Bartlett's precarious state of health owing to heart trouble. Some months later Mona Bartlett told witness ttat her father- had been ill again, and' that Keith had been refused relief because it had been reported that her father was working. Witness called at the house, but Bart- ' lett, senior, was out looking at another place, and she asked that ho should call for an examination. ,As the matter was urgent she gave another .dealing with the .health of the parents. ■She had not .seen the father since. TOTAL OF NEARLY- £500. ~ . .William JefEery. Lowe, relief officer of the board, said that at various times he had discussed, the. financial position of the Bartietts with; them. In April, 1929, Moha:Bar|lett,"calied;upon him and told tim that; n'one.'!of''the family was working, and'they: were not in a position to .....pay,- the.^ient.- She said that one of the boys had! been promised work and expected to get it very soon. A gra-nt Of rent, coal, and a pair of boots was made. In December, 1930, Mona Bartlett wrote to witness on the