UNION FUNDS STOLEN

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28573, 30 April 1958, Page 15

UNION FUNDS STOLEN

Secretary Admits Theft Of £483 (New Zeaiana Press Association) , AUCKLAND, April 29. The farmer secretary of the Auckland. Maritime Cargo Workers* .. Union, William Gladstone Hopkins, aged 46. pleaded guilty ill the Auckland Magistrate’s Court today’ to the theft as a servant tjf the union of £483 8s Id of union funds. Mr L G; H. Sinclair, S.M., remanded Hopkins in custody for a week for a probation officer’s report. The police prosecutor (Mr E. J. Gaines) said Hopkins was secretariy of-the union for about seven Jrears until'the morning of April 15, when he was reported to the police as a missing person. An audit ,of union affairs had begun OU:. April 11, and it was later established that £483 8s Id was missing and could not be accounted fdr. The union reported the matter to the police. Mr Gaines said Hopkins called at-the p.I.R office yesterday, and was interviewed by Detective I. Hpy. ' He ,was very frank, and said he had taken the missing money,' sometimes in cash from the safe, arid at other times by Cashing cheques for varying amounts. He did it to supplement his wages of about £2O a week, : and said he spent the money "on racehorses and liquor, and some on back maintenance.” /Hopkins .had been held in high esteem during his secretaryship, blit in past months had had domestic trouble and been, in ill health. He had never previously been before the Court, 'said Mr Gaines. 'Hopkins was not represented by counsel.