“THIRD DEGREE” ALLEGED

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1932, Page 4

“THIRD DEGREE” ALLEGED

GIRL CHARGED WITH THEFT.

“WAS KEPT IN A DARK ROOM?.

By Telegraph.—Prets Association.

Wellington, Last Night. Allegations that she ,hdd been kept in a dark room by an auditdr employed by J. R. McKenzie Ltd. and put through a form of third degree to force her to write a copfession of theft from the cash registers of the firm’s Cuba Street shop, in which she was employed as s saleswoman, were made in the Magistrate’s Court to-day by Thelma Jean Adams, who. sued the company for £2 7s as a week’s wages in lieu of notice for alleged wrongful dismissal. She also' claimed £5 in respect of staff shares which, she contended, she was entitled to recover, together with interest on the amount at 10 per cent, per annum. Miss Adams, who denied in evidence that she had ever stolen any of McKenzie's money, admitted writing a confession to stealing a total of £1 IBs* but Baid the confession had been dictated by an accountant at the end of a lengthy examination during which she became a nervous wreck and was willing to do anything to get away from the- office, where she was detained for two and ahalf hours.

It was alleged that; the. girl was kept in a room without a light for a considerable period and that she had been put through the worst form of third degree methods, said counsel. The girl in evidence said she was asked to go upstairs on March 23. There was a" man waiting there who called himself Mr. Myer and said he was an auditor. He said they had been watching her and that. she had been short-, ringing the register and keeping money. She protested. “He tried to half hypnotise me,” said witness. “He kept his face as close as he could to me. He kept on saying he would give me two more minutes, and that he could not waste time bn me.” The room was unlighted, and when they finally went downstairs she was a nervous wreck. It was at Myer’s suggestion that she filled in £lB 15s and all the other details. . Mrs. Ellen Lamb, with whom the girl lived, said Miss Adams was perfectly trustful and honest. On the day of the interview she came home at 7.35 p-m. When witness arrived the girl was leaning against a door and could scarcely stand. She was shaking and could not speak. Stanley Lamb, vulcapiser, to whom Miss Adams was engaged, said he had interviewed Giiscott, the manager ofMcKenzies, who had admitted Miss Adams had not been confronted by the persons making the charges. He had also interviewed a detective and the, auditor, who told him that if Miss Adams would pay the money no more would' be heard about it; if not the matter would be put in the hands of the police. Counsel for the company applied for judgment, or in the alternative * nonsuit. . X After hearing counsel the Magistrate said he would like to hear the whole pf the evidence and the case was adjourned until Friday.