EX-SECRETARY SUED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 295, 10 September 1941, Page 10

EX-SECRETARY SUED

Scottish Regimental Association ALLEGED DISCREPANCY Allegations of a discrepancy in the accounts of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Scottish Territorial Regimental Association and counter-allega-tions of unbusinesslike , methods and muddlement in the handling of contributions to the association's funds previous to October, 1940, were made in the Magistrates’ Court, Wellington, yesterday, when the president aud vice-presidents sued under instructions from the executive committee of the association, John Robert Henderson, secretary for the financial year ended March. 31, 1940, claiming £7l/8/6. Mr. Luxford, S.M.. was on the bench. Mr. E. P. Hay appeared for plaintiffs, John Roy Baird, Andrew Hogg and James Leuchars, and Mr. 11. Hardie Boys for defendant. Mr. Hay said that defendant did the work of treasurer during the year ended March 31, 1940, and when that financial period ended there was trouble in obtaining a balance-sheet, the death of the auditor in May or June being an additional complication. A new auditor was appointed, and after great trouble a bal-ance-sheet was obtained, and the annual meeting was held in October. The bill-ance-slieet was adopted by the meeting, and a new secretary and new treasurer were appointed, but then matters which gave rise to concern were discovered. The new treasurer could uot obtain from defendant. an important receipt book, which was still missing; It was said to have been lost. Serious discrepancies became apparent, and a public accountant, was appointed to investigate. He reported an apparent shortage of £7l/8/6. Defendant bad not been able to explain the discrepancies. It might be submitted on his 'behalf that he was not alone responsible. because a number of people handled the money of the association, obtaining donations, but it was all directed in the proper channels, and in fact defendant was treasurer. He had control of the books of the association, and the accounts df the , association were very simple. Method of Giving Receipts.

Evidence in support of Mr. Hay s opening address i was given by Baird. Ender cross-examination he declined to admit that the bulk of tne money received by the’ association was handled by Mr. J G. MaeKenzie, president of the association till October, 1040, when he was appointed secretary, and uecliued to admit also that the secretary merely sent out receipts at the president’s instructions. Norman James Glover, public accountant, told of his investigation of the association's accounts. While be was being cross-examined the magistrate remarked that in Jaw defendant had to account tor the sums of money for which he signed receipts, to which Mr. Boys replied that defendant might as well walk out of the Court if that were to be held. Jhe equity of this case would be different. Peter Mackenzie said be was the nominal treasurer till October 1, 1940, but did not take control of the association’s money and books because the methods by which the association did its business did not satisfy him. r lhe auditor died when he had practically completed the audit. He told witness that there had been a big muddle, but there seemed to be only 2/6 discrep/nicy. John Gretton MaeKenzie said that all the money he handled was banked mid he denied telephoning to defendant to give receipts mid handing to him lump sums once a fortnight. With plaintiffs’ case completed, the Court adjourned till this morning.