MONEY FROM CANTEEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22512, 1 September 1936, Page 16

MONEY FROM CANTEEN

FORMER EMPLOYEE'S ACT CLAIM FOR BACK WAGES [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday Claiming that there had been a misunderstanding over hack pay, James Coulthard, aged 36, labourer, formerly employed at the Huakura State Farm, pleaded not guilty when he was charged before justices this morning with obtaining £3 from the canteen at the farm by falsely representing-that he had left a valid order for £6 6s with the farm accountant. Senior-Sergeant Lambert conducted the case for the police. Mr. T. E. Rodda, superintendent of the State Farm, said that the accused had been dismissed on August 1 as the result of a dispute with the foreman. Ho had been paid a week's wages in advance instead of notice. Since the end of June the rates of pay had been increased to the 1931 level and the accused had been paid on this basis. Douglas Chisnoll said lie was a student at the State Farm and was in charge of the canteen. The men working on the farm were allowed to run monthly accounts. When the accused was leaving he came to witness to settle his account of £3 5s lid. He said that he had signed an order for £6 6s at the farm office and this would be available to pay the account. As the result of this explanation witness considered the account would be settled and handed the accused £3 in cash. However, no order had been signed at the farm oflice and the money was not available from this source. In defence of accused, Mr. Bennett said that he had only obtained the £3 from the canteen because ho was convinced that hack pay was owing to him. He thought this was due to him as a result of the Government legislation restoring cuts. Accused was convicted and placed on probation for two years. He was ordered to make restitution.