TIMBER BY FRAUD

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11951, 23 May 1933, Page 3

TIMBER BY FRAUD

YOUNG MAN CONVICTED. ■

.YEAR’S PROBATION

Leniency was extended by Mr. ,T. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., in the U’ ohce Court yesterday, to a young man W io was found guilty of staining timber by means of fraud, 12 months’ probation being the .penalty imaged. _ AccuseH was Alexander Spellers 26, and he appeared yesterday on the fol owing charges: (1) That, on May 8, _ IG obtained hoard and lodging to too value of '£2 10s from RoR-.rt Watt by means of fraud in that he falsely icpresonted, that money was- coming Mo him’from WaW; (2) that, on May ]5, he obtained timber valued at 12s 6d from Chas. Twldv by means ot fraud, in that he falsely rcpToscntoM tho timber had been paid foil. Detective McLeod prosecut'd Mr.'J. S. Wauchop appeared fer accused. /./ . Tho charge respecting .timber, was taken first, accused entering a plea o not guilty. Charles Taylor gave evidence as to .accused calling on him to an an go about .some timber supplies. He fold witness that ho would nay ' first and then left. No authority was : given ■accused to obtain the timber from niiy emnlovoe of witness. He vae quite sure lie-told accused everything had to Li paid for before it- left the yard. Mamcs Hill, yardman employed »V the previous witness, (recalled accused coming to'the yard on Good Friday morning and taking the timber away, stating .it was .paid for the previous d.av.

Detective McLeod stated in evidence that, on interviewing accused, he admitted.ho took the timber away, saving it had been paid for. Accused also said that the timber was for aman named Woods. * This concluded tlio case for Gic prosecution. Accused..'in tho witness-box. plated that at Faster ho was. employed by James Woods to take him up to the spotts meeting at Tolaga Bnv. He called at the yard on the Thursday and arranged about getting the finv her Woods saving that it would lie paid. for. On the next morning, when nor-used came in from tho country. Woods said the timber was paid fur and told witness to get it. To Detective McLeod, witness said that he took Woods up the Coast and told him he had told the yardman the timber was paid for.

The magistrate- remarked that the whole, matter depended on whether accused told Detective McLeod his present simple story. The detective had stated he did not do so.

Detective McLeod mentioned Gun accused was convicted nine months ago on a charge of breaking and entering, then being admitted to probation for two years.

On the suggestion of the detective, the magistrate admitted accused t-o a further term of probation for twelve months, this term to he cumulative with the present one. An order for payment of witness. 8 expenses, Ss, was also made against accused:

No evidence was offered in respect of the other charge.