ALLEGED THEFT OF MONEY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22004, 30 January 1937, Page 7

ALLEGED THEFT OF MONEY

SECRETARY OF HOSPITAL BOARD CHARGED

WAIPAWA MAN COMMITTED

FOR TRIAL

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WAIPUKURAU. January 29. Percy Raeburn Smyrk, managing secretary of the Waipawa Hospital Board, appeared in the Waipukurau Magistrate’s Court to-day, before Mr J. Miller. S.M.. charged with the theft

on September 29, 1936, of £45 14s 9d, the property of the board. Pat Sharpin, a cashier, said that there was an arrangement whereby he acted as Smyrk’s banker, holding his salary and pav J ng his private accounts. Sometimes, on the instfuctions of the accused,. he borrowed money from the board’s imprest account to advance to Smyrk. In September Smyrk owed the imprest account £5. Smyrk received an account for £45 for his daughter’s school fees. The witness paid the account from money drawn for board members’ travelling expenses. Smyrk later drew his October salary in advance; this went towards making up the deficiency. Other sums were advanced to Smyrk at various times to pay bookmakers. In December, when the witness was interviewed-by an audit Inspector, the deficiency in the board’s funds was £35. There was never any suggestion that Smyrk intended to retain the money borrowed. From July to December 2. Smyrk was never square with + he witness’s imprest account.

The audit inspector gave evidence that Smyrk was previously warned that he must not overdraw his salary. Smyrk was committed for trial. Bail was allowed in self £IOO. with a surety of £IOO. ,