THE J. G. WARD COMPANY'S LIQUIDATION. THE SECRETARY'S EVIDENCE. [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, This Day.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 19, 22 July 1897, Page 6

THE J. G. WARD COMPANY'S LIQUIDATION. THE SECRETARY'S EVIDENCE. [BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dunedin, This Day.

The examination of Robert Albert Anderson, Secretary of the Ward Association, was commenced this morninf . The witness said he had been associated with Mr. Ward eight years, and with Mr. Fisher for 15 or 16. Prior te the formation of the Association he was in Mr. Ward's employ, and. subsequently he was appointed Secretary. He practically ceased to have anything to do with the books after three months from his appointment as Seoretary, MesSrs. Ennis, Smith, Bojxls, and M'lntosh being the bookkeepers. They received no instructions from the firm as to what entries should be made in the books, and he could not say whether they received any instructions from Mr Fisher. When shown entries in one book in June, 1895, the witness said it was possible some supplementary entries were made by him. There were 34 such entries in his own handwriting, mainly corrections of wrong debits and credits at balance time. All hands had to assist with the books. He had had no conversation with Mr. Ward about such entries, and did not recollect Mr. Fisher speaking to him or instructing him to put them in. Further examined as to the lists of book debts set down as advanced against produce afloat or in store, he said he did not know whether the Southland Twine Compares account was properly described in that list, or whether the Hokouui debt.of £3000 was secured against that account, but he believed it to be quite correct. He accepted the word of his superior officer, as he was supposed to do. The grain and railage account meant that the Association owed the Colonial Bank £9975 on that special account, and the produce account represented the balance of the oats in store. He believed there were £16,0Ci0 worth of oats in store as represented. Counsel asked it' it was not a fact that there were 150,000 sacks short. The witness did not know anything about that matter.