ALLEGED THEFT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 June 1928, Page 5

ALLEGED THEFT.

CANVASSER IN TROUBLE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Algernon James Body (56), an insurance canvasser who had previously been employed by the Southern Cross Assurance Company, Ltd., Wellington, appeared in the dock' at the Police Court on fifteen charges of failing to account fro his company for a total sum of £163 9s 9d lie had collected, thereby committing theft. The money was collected in every case from women, principally school teachers' and nurses, whom the accused had insured. All gave evidence stating that they had paid their premiums to Body, but had not received their policies. Frank Tv. Burnham, general secretary of the Southern Cross Company at Wellington, said that accused w r as appointed an agent of the company on September 12th last year. Ho was under an agreement which provided that all moneys collected should be banked in the name of the company. A month later, 'witness became suspicious, as some of the receipt butts showed that they had not been issued in sequence. He wrote to Body on two occasions, but did not receive any reply from him. Later a number of complaints were received from people whom the accused had insured, stating that they could not obtain their policies. The company had received neither the money collected nor the proposals ’Tom the accused. In each ease the company had since honoured the proposals secured by accused and had issued policies. Body was paid on a commission basis only.

Mr Dickson (who appeared for accused): “'That’s the whole trouble. The money due to him was not sent. Body owns 75 per cent of the £163 he, collected.” 7

In a statement produced bv ActingDeteetive Waterson, Body said lie did not forward the proposals or money owing to a misunderstanding concerning the proposals. Tie intended going to Wellington to complete the business and effect a settlement, but was arrested before he had time to do so. He denied that lie had failed to account for money collected, or that he intended to steal it.

Body, who pleaded not guilty, was committed to the Supremo- Court for trial. His bail was increased from £SO to one surety of £250, or two of half that amount.