GIVEN A CHANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23136, 7 September 1938, Page 18

GIVEN A CHANCE

YOUNG MARRIED MAN

OFFENCE WHEN CANVASSER MONEY NOT ACCOUNTED FOR A charge of fraudulently omitting to pay sums of money totalling £lO 10s which he had received for the Colonial Mutual Life Assuranco Society, Limited, between May 1U and June 23 of this year, was admitted by Cyril Hector Duncan, tinsmith, aged 23, who appeared before Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S;M., in the Police Court vesteVday. Accused was represented by Mr. Aekins and Detective-Sergeant McHugh prosecuted.

Detective S. .1. Mclvoown, wlnl arrested accused on warrant, produced a statement in which accused said liehad been working for the complainant company at Wanganui as a canvasser. When questioned by an inspector of the company he had admitted a shortage in his returns and agreed that the sum was alio,lit £0 15s. He was given 24 hours in which to make restitution, but had been unable to find the money. An offer lie made to pay on terms had been declined.

Detective - Sergeant McHujxh said Duncan received 12£ per cent commismission on all monies collected and his average earnings were £3 7s a week. Ho wits a married man and since ho had lost his position at Wanganui ho had been unable to pay the deficiency. « "Ho has promised to make good the shortage and evidence shows he did make some attempt to get the money," added Mr. McHugh. "His wife was ill and it is unfortunate that he has been arrested now he has employment at his trade as a tinsmith. He has been straightforward during the investigations made into this affair, and hr.>; made every effort to make restitution. He has not been in trouble before and I think he is worthy of a chance." "This is another case of a married man working on that pernicious system of commission," said counsel, in asking for leniency for accused. " His average net earnings were 22s Gd a week, and out of that ho had to pay 10s for a flat. His employer is prepared to keep him" in his present position and I ask that he bo given a chance."

Accused was admitted to probation for a year and ordered to make restitution.