TELEGRAM CASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22261, 8 November 1935, Page 16

TELEGRAM CASE

SCHOOLTEACHER'S OFFENCE TERM OF IMPRISONMENT A charge of signing a telegram with tho name of P. E. Norman, superintendent of tho Rotoroa Island inebriates' homo, without his authority, wa* admitted by Donald Stuart Mackenzie, a schoolteacher, aged 30, before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday. Senior-Ddtective Hall said that accused was discharged from tho institution at Rotoroa Island on October 18 and had £2O in his possession at that time. On arrival at Auckland he went to a hotel and drank a quantity ot whisky. He later sent a telegram to his father purporting to bo signed by Superintendent Norman, stating that accused would need £5. His father did not send the money, but made inquiries from the superintendent. Accused wontvoluntarily to the police and made a full confession. He was apparently under the influence of liquor when he sent the telegram. * The probation officer, Mr. W. J. Campbell, said that accused had been a voluntary inmate *at Rotoroa Island. He suggested a prohibition order should be issued against him. Asked if he had anything to say, accused said ho had no need of the 'money asked for in the telegram. Tho alternatives were open to him of going on a farm or of seeking to re-enter the teaching profession. The magistrate said that accused might have been charged with forgery. He had had a good education and good chances in life, carrying a Corresponding responsibility. It was not a case for a maximum penalty, but he would not impose a fine, .which meant little to people of substance. Accused would be sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment.