SIX THEFT CHARGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 671, 24 May 1929, Page 11

SIX THEFT CHARGES

COMPANY MANAGER NOT CONVICTED “BUSINESS IMPROPRIETY” Six theft charges preferred William George Brain at the Police Court this morning were dismissed, no conviction being recorded. Counsel described his clients action as “business impropriety.” * as char «ed with receiving Kl 43111118 / 58 4s ld from George ? OI A. tern is requiring him to account to the Colonial Motor Company and that, failing to do so, he committed theft. „ r ; tt- A. Singer appeared for Brain asked the court s, leave to explain the case before pleading described his' client as a f had I ? f : Id a most responsible position for whicn he had been in been P^» f an excellent salary. He had of ? a , Ser of the ’Auckland branch of the Colonial Motor Company. A faystem the company had was to sell , r> i Lrt s to accredited agents at a special trade discount. The man, who P i? d the slx che ques in to accused, „® d b® e h Promised an agency, and, t ,l ha ?. ln Vlew , had made alterail°" s 3 *° his premises. “The company then combined with another firm,” conSinger, "and Brain lost his "fh 1 to give agencies. He arranged with the man to whom he had given his promise that spare parts should ; ® fiyeu to him at the special rate and that the payments should be made to him personally. This was done to avoid putting the transactions through the books as the arrangement was certainly irregular.” Counsel explained that it had never been Brain’s intention to defraud the company and his action could best be described as a business impropriety.” When he had taken a position with another company, Brain had tried to think of some way of paying over the money he was holding without exposnot oniy him self but also his friend, the money was now all paid back and counsel asked for the dismissal of the charge under the First Offenders' Probation Act. “Brain has lost a good position and a fin© reputation,” concluded Mr. Singer. .. c^ i ® f “ De t ective Hammond said that the information had been laid at Welimgton and as it was all a question of accounts it had been difficult for the police to deal with.