FORGERY CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 280, 26 November 1931, Page 5

FORGERY CHARGES.

EX-HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.

WHANGAREI ALLEGATIONS

INITIALLING OF ACCOUNTS,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WHANGAREI, this day,

Giving evidence in tlie case in which Alexander- Burnett Charters, late principal of the Whangarei High School, was cliargcd on three counts of forgery and on three counts of false pretences, Hugh Rishworth, chairman of the board of governors of the High School, said that accused in the course of his duties was in full charge of the 6chool and school property. On some requisitions the principal was authorised to obtain tlie requirements himself; on others, .the secretary would be instructed to acquire the goods. In each case accounts would be presented to the board, certified by the principal as being correct. It was usual for the accused to initial the accounts, which, when passed, would be paid by the secretary to the firm concerned. There was no reason why the principal should spend his own money and then claim from the board. Witness recalled that in February, 1930, some desk books were authorised by the board on the principal's recommendation. In the following month an account from Harold Menzies for £16 6/6 was received. The account was certified and as it was for a smaller amount than authorised was passed for payment in the usual way. An account with C. A. Innes and MacGregor, made out originally to H. E. Gilbert Smith, which was later scored out, and had the name Whangarei High School when submitted, was for £5 .7/6. The writing and initialling were that of the principal. The account was a subscription to "La France," as supplied to the scholars. The finance committee took it to be an account. for materials supplied to the school and chargeable to the board. It was not an account payable by the board, but bore the principal's initials "A.8.0." certifying that it was._ Had there been any suggestion that it was a private account or connected with the school's book fund it would not have been paid. An account for £4 3/ from Harold Menzies and certified in the usual way by the principal, witness added, was passed for payment by the board on December 22, 1929. The voucher was charged to the recreation account in the board's books. The text books account was a personal venture by the principal and some other member of the staff. Witness possessed no knowledge of it. Corroboration of the foregoing was given by H. E. G. Smith, assistant principal, and Robert Edwin Bates, Government audit inspector. % Accused pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence, and was committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court at Auckland.. Bail was fixed at £100. ■■ ; . ■■ .