FAILURE TO ACCOUNT

Evening Star, Issue 19615, 22 July 1927, Page 5

FAILURE TO ACCOUNT

I lUSUBAKCE CANVASSED CHARGED An insurance canvasser who, according to bis counsel, was unable to eke out an existence on bis meagre earnings, was charged at the City Police Court to-day with having failed to account for sums totalling £lB 16s Cd to the Provident Life Assurance Company. Accused’s name was Walter Charles M'Combie, and he was represented by Mr Hanlon, a pica of guilty being entered. The Chief Detective said accused had been in the employ of the Provident Assurance Company, and had admitted the defalcation. About thirty small amounts had been taken, amounting in all to £lB 15s Cd. Ho was a married man with three children, and his average earnings during the time he was employed by the company was £3 11s. He had not previously been before the court.

Mr Hanlon said that, though the accused had admitted the charges, there ivero some extenuating circumstances. He had had an unblemished past, and had been compelled to do tbo best ho could to eke out something like an existence. He bad to pay £1 6s 3d per week rent. Unfortunately he was not able to make ends meet, and bad taken the money, hoping that he would bo able to repay it later. He had made a clean breast of tbe offences. Ensign Coombs said tho family was often without food. They had had no luck since coining to the dominion four years ago. Air Hanlon: He’s not addicted to drinking or gambling, nor has be any of tbo other vices that most of us have. Tho Magistrate: Yon don’t suggest wo have the vice of failing to account. Mr Hanlon ? Mr Hanlon: Many men are able to pay back before the auditor comes along. Some arc more unfortunate thn n others The magistrate adjourned the case until July 25 in order to allow the probation officer to subm’t a report.