CHARGES OF THEFT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22936, 14 January 1938, Page 14

CHARGES OF THEFT

SUMS FOR CARTAGE WORK MECHANIC BEFORE COURT Tho conditions of an agreement involving the use of a motor-lorry for cartage purposes were tho subject of evidence in the Police Court yesterday when n mechanic, Cecil William Hutchinson, aged .'SO (Mr. Thomas) appeared before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., on threo charges of theft. Accused, who was alleged to have stolen sums totalling £1.3, the property of Arthur Henry Frank Brewer, pleaded not guilty. Brewer said that lie had entered into an agreement with accused under which the latter had tho use of one of witness' trucks for carrying contracts. Accused was to get 2s 6d nn hour, with the addition of Is 3d an hour for contracts which accused obtained through his own efforts. Subsequently accused was paid amounts due to witness' business which accused did not account for. '

Evidence wan given of amounts paid by Winstono, Limited, to accused and not accounted for to Brewer.

Accused said the concerned in the charges was for work done apart from his arrangement with Brewer. Ho alleged that he really made an arrangement to buy the truck at £1 a day. ' The magistrate said it was clear from tho ovidence that accused had received monoy from Winstone's to which he was not entitled, thereby committing theft..

It looks ns though you have made up your mind to spend some part of your life in gaol," tho magistrate added, after oxainining a list of accused's previous convictions. Accused was fined £5 on oncli charge, in default two months' imprisonment. Ho was also ordored to make restitution of tho £l3. :