YOUNG MAN CHARGED

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 7

YOUNG MAN CHARGED

RETURNED SOLDIER AND PENSION.

ALLEGED FALSE DECLARATION.

A young man named John Craig Neill appeared at the Supreme Court yesterday, before Mr Justice Reed and a jury of twelve, on a charge of making a false declaration with reference to hie military pension, with intent to defraud. He was charged with four counts regarding these offenoes. Neill, who was formerly a clerk in the Labour Department, pleaded not gniltv. and was represented by Mr A. Grav. K.C., and Mr J. Scott. Mr P. S. K. Alnoassey, Croxfn Prosecutor. declared that Noil! had made n false declaration in order to obtain a bupplementary pension in addition to the military 'pension he was receiving His rnlary, with pensions, totalled approximately £4OO per annum. He had returned to the Labour Department after his war service, but had suffered from ill-health a good deal. His military pension of £2 10s per week was supplemented by the extra £1 per week. When medically examined by Dr. Fenwick last year, it was alleged that the prisoner had stated that he was unemployed. This, it was 6aid, was a false statement, as Neill was then employed by the Labour Department, and in receipt of full pay. He was examined again on another oocasion, and still stated that he was unemployed. Evidence of a corroborative character was called on behalf of the case for tho Crown.

The evidence was not completed yesterday, and will be proceeded witii tfaos morning.