Money Obtained by False Pretencesd

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 248, 24 October 1934, Page 7

Money Obtained by False Pretencesd

SALESMAN SENT TO GAOL Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. Pleading not guilty to live charges of obtaining money by false pretences, George Macdonald Hamilton, aged 33, a salesman, appeared for trial iu the Supreme Court to-day before Mr Justice . Johnston to-day. The charges were to the effect that Hamilton represented falsely that ha was in the employ of Commonwealth Underwriters, Ltd., of Auckland, who acted as agent for Timbcrlands Woodpulps, Ltd., and sold to five people bonds in tho latter company involving £lO5. Actually, stated the Crown, lie had had no authority and ho pocketed the money. The Crown Prosecutor said the case involved the class of security that had been discussed considerably in public recently. Accused had been employed by Comonwealth Underwriters off ami on up to June, 1933. During the present year Timbcrlands AVoodpulps, Ltd., had been selling its own bonds and was not employing tho agency of another firm. Comonwcaltli Underwriters asked accused to resign late last year and he returned tho accounts and everything except one receiptbook. After that he sold Timbcrlands bonds to five people and allegedly pocketed the money himself and gave receipts out of the book he had withheld. The live people did not receive bonds, and Timbcrlands, Ltd., repudiated the sales as accused had no right to act for them.

Hamilton was found guilty and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent.

His Honour said Hamilton had been given probation for a previous conviction for false pretences. The present charges were more from deliberate actions.