THE OLD- OLD STORY.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVI, Issue 764, 4 October 1893, Page 3

THE OLD- OLD STORY.

Wellington. • etolw 3. Ix the Resident Magistrate Court before Mr J. O. Martin, Henry Grantham was brought up on remand on a charge of embc7.zliug£l from his cmploycrs,Messrs Ncwconie Bros., of Karori. This case ww previously before the Court when Mr Poynton, who appeared for accused, asked that ho might bo dealt with under tho First .Offenders Act. Mr Garvoy, the Probation Officer, now reports that he had made inquiries, and had gained the following information: Accused had borno a good reputation up to last August when he had commenced a system of petty peculations from his employers. In all he had taken a trifle over £12. He had been in receipt of a salary of 80s' a week, and paid 15s a week for board. In explanation of his defalcations Mr Poynton said that ho had been gambling in one of tho clubs in town, and had lost somo of his employer's ! money. In tho hopo of winning back his i losses ho had taken money; from the till with the intention of putting it back if he recouped himself. Ho continued to lose, however, and was eventually found out. His Worship asked what club it was, and Mr Poynton replied, 'Tho Working Men's Club.' At this stago of 'the proceedings a member of fcho committee of the Working Men's Olnb stepped forward and denied that gambling was allowed there. Ho attempted to address the Court, but his Worship stopped him, and said that he was not trying the Working Men's Club for allowing gambling on its premises, but if the statement made by the accused through his solicitor were true, ho u-oitld say that the club rendered itself liable to to a visit and search of tho premises by

the police, and if sufficient evidenco was found, to prosecution as a common gaming-house. His Worship then asked Mr Gorvey if accused were sent to gaol he could be kept apart from the other 'prisoners, so that'there would be no risk of association with regular criminals. On receiving an affirmative answer His Worship sentenced the accused to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.