BOTTLE-GATHERER GIVEN A CHANCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18785, 14 June 1929, Page 1

BOTTLE-GATHERER GIVEN A CHANCE.

WILL HAVE TO REFUND £3O, SAYS MAGISTRATE.

Henry Joseph Golder, the bottlegather who obtained money from New Zealand Breweries Ltd., by altering dockets, was this morning admitted to three years’ probation by Mr 'E. C. Levvey, S.M. Mr Darby, the probation officer, said he had no objection to the accused being placed on probation. Mr Bowie said that arrangements had been made to find work for Golder, half-time at first and probably full-time work later. “It seems quite apparent,” he said, “that the company were to some extent negligent to allow this matter to go on so long. They are in some way to blame.” The Magistrate said that the case had given him some thought, because while the accused might be charged for the first time his offences disclosed a system. After discussing the matter with the probation officer, however, he had decided to take the rather unusual course of admitting accused to probation. As it seemed to be quite hopeless to expect the accused to pay the full amount he wrongfully received, the Court proposed to order that during the term of his probation he should repay the sum of £3O as directed by the probation officer. “You want to understand,” added the Magistrate, “that if I find you are not doing your very best honestly to try to make amends you will come back and I will have something more severe to say to you.”