CHARGE AGAINST UNION SECRETARY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17613, 16 November 1922, Page 3

CHARGE AGAINST UNION SECRETARY.

COMMITTED POB TRIAL. (press association tei/egham.) WELLINGTON, November 15. •James George Bruce, ex-secretary of the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union, was charged in th 6 Magistrate's Court with the.theft of £846, sWon funds. The secretary, Mr* fpawrenson, stated that the membership, ipjfvthe ./union was about 1650. The ?reV i enue consisted of a yearly contribution. of £l, death benefit levy of 3s, }egal aid levy Is, defence levy £.l, and seamen's tickets sa. The expenses were mainly the secretary's salary and general expenses. - It was stated that, on August sth, the accused, had. attended & meeting^at which his position was discussed, and he- made an explanation; Herbert Bolton, accountant, stated that lie had audited the union's books for about; e^ght; years. . .Owing to irregularities found this year, the.. audit was * prolonged. The., defence ■; levy, butts were missing and Bruce was asked for them. They were, on the Witness's table ,two days, later. A total shortage of £lo3lwa's; discovered. The accused - was ,'sho a statement, and ' said that it waa /unnecessary to go through the' figures, whibh he would take as correct, though he did not know that the amount was so large. | Bruce reserved- his defence, and was i committed for trial at the Supreme Court. Bail of £SQO and one surety for the same amount was allowed.