“UNDOUBTED KNAVERY”

Northern Advocate, 15 September 1932, Page 5

“UNDOUBTED KNAVERY”

MEAN'IMPOSITION*. BAKER DEALT WITH. (Special to “Northern Advocate.’’) WELLINGTON, This Day. John-Bright Austin, aged 5.0, a baker, of Taumarnnui, on a charge of endcav, curing to obtain money -by false pretences, appeared in the Supreme Court for sentence yesterday. Austin inserted advertisements in several Wellington and South Island papers calling for bakers and pastrycooks to apply for positions with an English-firm, to obtain contracts with wages at 2/- an hour and free passage money Home. Those wiio applied were asked to forward a £1 bank note for cable- purposes. Counsel for Austin said this was his first offence; Nearly 200 people wore ■intrigued with the advertisement, bur not one had suffered any loss in the ridiculous scheme. Only four sent £l, and this had been returned. The scheme was gross folly rather than knavery. Counsel asked for probation. The Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, said he agreed that it was gross folly. It w-as also foolish knavery, but knavery it undoubtedly was, and of a mean kind, because it imposed on a class of people w-ho could not afford to lose money. His Honour thought justice would be met by ordering Austin to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months and to pay the costs of the ptoseeUtion.