SOCIETY’S FUNDS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 197, 2 June 1934, Page 5

SOCIETY’S FUNDS.

MISAPPROPRIATION ALLEGED.

SYDNEY PROFESSOR’S DEATH

(United Press Association— Copyright). SYDNEY, June 1. Sensational disclosures concerning the financial affairs of Professor Henry George Chapman, director of Cancer Research at Sydney University, whose death Avas announced last Saturday, were made in the Bankruptcy Court to-day. , A petition by the Royal Society alleged that Chapman, as treasurer, had misappropriated the society’s funds, amounting to £3360, and stated that the society held no security over Chapman’s estate. , Evidence was given of fruitless elforts to locate the professor’s supposed assets, a list of which was attached, to his , will amounting to £85,000. "Witness described the assets as “mere bluff.” . . The bankruptcy . inquiry, was adjourned. ' It was revealed to-day that a doctoi bad refused to give a> certificate of Chapman’s death, and last Friday the police commenced investigations. Ihe Government Pathologist last week-end conducted a post-mortem examination, and forwarded the contents of thestomach to an analyst, who has not yet been able to determine the cause ol death. At .the inquiry, Sir Georg© Julius, "(chairman of the Australian National Research Council), said that Chapman, as treasurer of that body, had the custody of important books which were missing, and that Government bonds to the value of £13,500 and £-000 i presenting funds of the Research Council could not be accounted for. Witness estimated that Chapman s assets did not exceed £‘2ooo. Another witness stated that Chapman was constantly being pressed for audits by both societies, and that large sums of money had been drawn from time to time by Chapman from the hanks which handled the Reseal ch Council’s account.. - Chapman, who lived for most of the time at the University Cluh, left- a will dated May 3, three weeks before his death, bequeathing -all his estate to his widow, who resided in the Blue Mountains. “ The Royal .Society is’ asking the Court for'administration of Chapman s estate.