THEFT OF MONEY

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1935, Page 6

THEFT OF MONEY

PROBATION FOR TWO YEARS. £ll TAKEN FROM ROWAN FARMER. Charles Frederick Cook was convicted and placed on probation for two years at the Eltham Police Court yesterday on a charge of stealing £ll, the property of his employer, Harold Thompson, at Rowan. He pleaded guilty and the charge was dealt with summarily. Sergeant Henry said Cook was employed by Thompson and shared a room with him. On Sunday last Thompson left his clothing containing £ll in the room. He later discovered that the money was missing and he communicated with the police. Constable O’Donoghue saw Cook who denied that he had taken the money. He suggested that it might have been taken by some children. In a later interview Cook again denied that he had taken the money until the constable intimated that he would make a search. Cook then admitted taking the money, which was recovered intact. The sergeant mentioned that Cook had previous convictions for dishonesty, the last being in 1924. He said Cook had helped to maintain his brothers. Cook pleaded that he was a victim to sudden temptation 'and he intended to put the money back again. The magistrate: It is a low down thing to steal your employer’s money. Sergeant Henry intimated that he was agreeable to probation and said Cook was a harmless sort of man.

The magistrate: He has kept straight for ten years and on the sergeant’s recommendation I will place him on probation for two years.

METHODIST HARVEST FESTIVAL. TUNA CHURCH GATHERING. The annual sale of harvest festival products was held at the Tuna Church on Tuesday evening. Social items were given by Miss Wright, song; Miss and Master Burkett, duet; Miss Henderson, recitation; Rev. and Mrs. T. Skuse, duet; Miss Bilski, recitation; Mr. A. Gorringe, song; Mr. Hale, song. Children’s items were given by Iris Lepper, Allan Kirkby, Nelson Jones, Leonard Walker. Accompaniments were played by Mrs. Downs. Mr. G. Pugh (Stratford) then conducted the sale of produce, which resulted in a very profitable sum being handed over to the church.

Mr. F. Wellington thanked the visitors for the help they had given and all who had given items and helped towards the success of the evening. He remarked with regret that it was the last time the Rev. Mr. Skuse would attend the festival and wished both Mr. and Mrs. Skuse the best of good luck in their future parish. Mr. Skuse thanked Mr. Wellington and parishioners for the welcome always given to both Mrs. Skuse and himself and hoped at some future time he would again be at Tuna. Supper was served by the women. Mr. L. Evans, son of Mr. Richard Evans, Kaiapoi, Christchurch, has been visiting Mrs. S. Jones.

Miss Hughes, Hawera, is the guest of her sister, Mrs. Harrison.