PROBATION FOR THEFT

Evening Post, Issue 13, 16 January 1936, Page 13

PROBATION FOR THEFT

Henry Alan Moray Smith, a company agent, aged 28, appeared before Mr. F. F. Reid, S.M., at Christchurch, for sentence on five charges of theft from the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., at Eakaia, the sums totalling £153 9s lOd, reports the "Press." He also appeared for sentence on a charge of stealing £41 from William Wilson Carruthers.

Counsel for Smith, Mr. R. A. Young, said Smith still maintained that the defalcations were brought about by frequent and excessive calls on his salary.

The Magistrate said that it appeared clear that the company paid Smith an adequate salary for a man of his age and position, and had paid all reasonable expenses. Smith had endeavoured to live on a scale far beyond his age and position, and it was his personal pleasure and not the interests of the company which had led to the defalcations. On the first charge Smith was convicted and admitted to probation for three years, a special condition being that he make restitution of £194 9s lOd and £2 expenses within six months. On the remaining charges he was convicted and discharged. .

Gordon Harcourt, Featherston Street, reports that at the auction sale yesterday sftsrnoon of Nq. 38 Dundas Street, S^atoun, the property was sold for £1200.