A HARMLESS INDIVIDUAL

Southland Times, Issue 20226, 11 July 1927, Page 5

A HARMLESS INDIVIDUAL

IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH THEFT. REMAND GRANTED. An immigrant, David Macey Lillie, who has been in New Zealand for the past two years appeared at the Police Court on Saturday morning to answer to a charge of theft of monies totalling £3B 10/-. Accused pleaded guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. The prosecuting police officer outlining the case said that about September last accused, an Englishman, was employed by the Waitane Sawmill and Afforestation Company as a canvasser for the sale of shares. In certain cases he colleced monies for which he failed to account to the company. The deficiency was made up as under: James Campbell £3 10/-; Alexander (kipland £25; Richard McDowell £2 10/-; J. G. Barr £2 10/-; J. R. Kirkpatrick £2 10/-; W. Barr £2 10/-. So far as he knew accused had never been before the Court before but he was an out and out waster. While at Lumsden, where he had carried out the canvassing, he had become engaged to a young woman there passing himself off as a single man whereas he had a wife residing in England. This young woman had practically kept him for some time, raisuig money on a piano which she owned. Mr Gordon Reed representing accused said the case was an extraordinary one. The sum of £3B 10/- was made up of several small sums. The total could also be reduced as Lillie was entitled to commission to the extent of £7. The Police officer said the commission was only due after the amounts mentioned had been paid into the office at Invercargill. Continuing Mr Reed said accused’s parents were very respectable people living at New-castle-on-Tyne. Arrangements had been made for his father to make up the deficiency. The facts were that accused had been laid up at Lumsden with a rheumatic complaint and had to make use of the money he had collected to defray his expenses. That however could not excuse him in any away. Lillie had never been en. gaged to the girl at Lumedeß. “From the little I have seen of him” said counsel “be seems to be a harmless individual with no criminal intent. I have no hesitation in asking the Court to deal leniently with him and would suggest probation, at least that the Probation officer should submit • report.” Police Officer: The company which employed him is a good deal to blame. Accused was supplied with receipt books and put in a position of trust when very little was known about him. The Magistrate: He played a dirty trick on the girl. Police Officer: Yas! Tliat is the worst part of the affair. The man is a worm. The case was referred to the Probation officer, accused being remanded till Tuesday afternoon.