PATRIOTIC FUNDS STOLEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1940, Page 2

PATRIOTIC FUNDS STOLEN

WESTPORT MEN CONVICTED [per press association.] WESTPORT, September 19. When placing Henry Whistance, married and Patrick Egan, single, clerks, employed at the Buller Patriotic Committee’s office, each on probation for 12 months for thefts of £37 and £5 respectively from the committee, Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., said in the Magistrate’s Court to-day that he may have been a little lenient, specially as so much trouble had been gone to by the committee in raising money to assist the men overseas. Any other offenders of the type would receive more severe sentences, but he had taken into consideration that Whistance and Egan had nothing against them previously. For Whistance, Mr. M. B. Scully said that his wages of £4/3/- a week were insufficient to meet the expenses of organising various matters, as he had to pay maintenance and hotel board. Whistance had held positions of trust for many years with no 'trouble at any time. Mr. H. Lovell said that this was Egan’s first breach, after many years of trust, and he had taken the money in the short space of a week, intending to make restitution on pay day. When he saw that there was some trouble in the office, he had come forward with an explanation, and had paid back the money. Egan was ordered to take out a prohibition order for one year.