FALSE DECLARATIONS OF EARNINGS

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 21

FALSE DECLARATIONS OF EARNINGS

(United Press Association)

DUNEDIN, October 7. Three men who made false declarations undpr the Employment Promotion Act, Wallace Bruce Coates, William Beissel, and Harold Walter Larkins were dealt with in the Police Court this morning by the Magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle). They admitted obtaining various sums by false pretences —Coates £5 and £4, Beissel £1 0/1 and 17/8, and Larkins £1 13/7 and £1 17/7. Chief Detective Holmes said that Coates, who was on sustenance, was required to make a declaration of his earnings. Over a certain period he gave his earnings as nil, whereas he had been employed by a coal merchant at £2 a week, which excluded him from relief. The second charge against him concerned a similar declaration at a later date. Coates (who said he was ‘ guilty in a sense”): I knew nothing of the work I was allowed to take, Mr Bundle: You said your earnings were nil. Coates: I didn’t know the scale I was allowed to work under. Mr Bundle: But you made a false declaration. Coates: It was pure ignorance. Coates was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment. Beissel, the chief detective said, gave his wife’s earnings as nil. when she actually earned £2 1/1. His explanation was that he had not read the formsvery carefully. These, however, were perfectly clear. . . , Beissel: My wife hadn’t received her money when I made the declaration. On the first charge, Beissel was fined £2 0/1, and on the second £1 17/8. Chief Detective Holmes said that Larkins had declared his earnings as 5/4 for one week, when he actually made £1 19/2 on the wharf, and he later signed another declaration that he had earned 1/-, whereas he was paid £2 14/7. Larkins had been before the Court on three similar charges in October of last year and considerable leniency had been extended to him in the past. Mr Bundle: Have you anything to say? Larkins: No. Mr Bundle: You will be sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment. Larkins: Thank you.