RATIONS BY FRAUD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21493, 17 May 1933, Page 12

RATIONS BY FRAUD

" MEAN AND DISHONEST " COMMENTS BY JUDGE PROBATION FOR OFFENDER [ fIV TKLKCHAI'H—T'RHSS ASSOCIATION] WELLINOTON, Tucsday TaTting the view that tho accused apparently was tho tool of an older head, and that tho prosecution was brought to some extent as a warning to others, Mr. Justice Ostler, in the Supremo Court to-day, admitted Keith Bartlott, aged 21, to probation for obtaining relief rations from-tho Wellington Hospital Board by falsely representing that lie was tho only member of his family who was working. Tho .Judge said the offence was mean and dishonest. For years accused's family appeared to have been living on charitable aid to which they were not entitled, having, according to papers before , him, received hundreds of pounds, while tho average earnings of tho family had been sufficient to support it without relief. A condition of probation, His Honor said, was that Bartlott should pay tho costs of tho prosecution, £1!) 10s, within one year. His Honor said ho knew that Bartlott was only able to earn 15s a week, and the order made would mean .hardship, but at tho same time ho did not think the State, through tho Hospital Board, after having paid out some hundreds of pounds, should in addition be out of pocket to tho extent of £'l9 16s. If accused did not pay ho would be sent to gaol. His family would have to help him to pay.