A SERIOUS CHARGE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 93, 17 October 1906, Page 8

A SERIOUS CHARGE.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A LODGE SECRETARY. COURT PROCEEDINGS. James Robertson, engineer, again appeared before Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day on twelve charges of theft of money belonging to Court Sir George Grey, No. 3118, A.0.0.F., a friendly society under tho Friendly Societies Act, 1882. The defendant was' secretary of the lodge in question, and tho informations alleged that he stole sums of money ranging from £5 to £71, and amounting in all to £398 15s 2d. Mr. W. H. Quick prosecuted on behalf of tho trustees of tho lodge — Messrs. James Foster Adams, Richard Edward Hnrraan, and James Adam Capper. Tho accused was represented by Air. Herdman. The case was commenced on Monday. After counsel had opone3 and called several witnesses the proceedings were adjourned until to-day, when Daniel Skinner was called. He deposed being treasurer of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. The receipt produced was given by accused for the rent of St. George's Hall. Witness paid the cheque over to Mr. Robertson. ■ It was for £5. To Mr. Herdman : Witness did not remember cashing the cheque. The receipt was dated August, 1904. Witness was not paid a sum of money. If Mr. Robertson said tho cheque was cashed by witness and witness got some of the money it would be wrong. Mr. Herdman : My suggestion is that you rendered some service to the lodge ; that you were entitled to some payment, and you properly cashed the chequa and retained some of it yourself. Witness: No, no. Mr. Herdman : I have no intention in questioning you to make remarks derogatory to yourself. A] ban B. Knapp, Treasurer of Court Sir George Grey, deposed that he had occupied this position close on fifteen years. The cash book produced contained entries of all moneys received from tho secretary in 1904, 1905, up to July, 1906. It was his duty to receive money and pay it into the bank. If there was over £100 it was paid into the Post Office Savings Bank. The current account in tho bank should tally with his books. To Mr. Hprdman: That was the only cash book witness kept. He had other cash books previous to this one. He usually received moneys from accused on court nights once a fortnight. When he did not receive them on court nights he got them at his place of business. He did not add up Mr. Robertson's contribution book on court nights to see whether or not ' the amount was correct. As a rule he gave accused receipts for moneys, but he Tiad received moneys from him without giving a receipt. Notwithstanding a rule 'which had a bearing on this subject witness had seen fit to act as he did. The books of the court were audited four times a year. Mr. Robertson was present when the audits were being conducted. . During the last twelve years they must have had seventeen different auditors. Three auditors were appointed and one retired quarterly. Witness could not say that the auditors were keen business men. One of them was a solicitor. These men certified that the 'accounts were correct. At the quarterly investigations Mr. Robertson was perfectly open and was always ready when an explanation was required. The, payments made by the court were met by cash by tho secretary. , As a rule they drew a cheque for the amounts. Witness did not regularly ascertain that the total amounts of cheques he drew in his capacity as treasurer ' balanced with tho total amounts of expenditure in the balance. Witness was a farrier, and he carried on business under the same roof as accused. Persons were in the habit of coming to witness's place to pay money and have accounts paid. Mr. Herdman: Payments may have been made by Mr. Robertson for sick pay, etc., out of moneys he had in hand, and that he might have forgotten about them? Witness : I know as a fact he did pay ' out' of his own pocket cash on many occa- ' sionfi. He did this sometimes on benk holidays. To Mr. Quick : When accused paid money' out of his own pocket a cheque was drawn for the amount. Henry Birch, gas engineer, deposed that he was the district treasurer of the Ancient Order of Foresters. He had been acting as special auditor for 'Court Sir George Grey in conjunction with Mr. Dixon. Their duties commenced in March, of this year. Their instructors -were to investigate the finances of the lodge.. Tho whole of the books in the secretary's possession were submitted to them. One book was the contribution-book — a record of members' contributions. " The books produced contained records for 1904, 1905, and 1906. Jilvery membep's 'name was mentioned in tho contribution-book.. He also produced balance-sheets for the four quarters in 1904 and 1905, and for the March quarter m 1906. Any person with ordinary knowledge could keep the books. It, was a simple matter, with the exception, of securities, which required special care,' During the course of the audit, witness and hia colleague several times asked for and Mr. Robertson, gave them certain information. ' Mr Quick : When did your difficulties commence? Witness : As soon as we commenced ? Continuing, witness said he did not ask Mr. Robertson for an explanation until 1898. Mr. Quick: What did you mean by the difficulties as soon as you commenced. Witness : We found the balance-sheets did not agree with the books. Mr. Quick : Where did you put your finger on the blot. Witness : Tho balance-sheets were fairly accurate with one exception. Continuing, he said the difficulty occurred over the amount of money on mortgage, and freehold property. When he and his colleague finished 1895 they found the deficiency to be .£2OO. On 30th March of this year they invited the trustees, secretary and treasurer to come together. The auditors on that occasion made statements showing the deficiency for 1895, and asked the secretary, in the presence of the trustees, to give an explanation, if he could. The secretary gave no explanation. At the request of the trustees tho auditors agreed to continue the audit and bring it up to date. After hearing further evidence accused was committed for trial. Bail was allowed—accused in £200 and two sureties of £100 each or one of £200. At half-past 2 this afternoon Mr. Aitken, M.H.R., opened a sale of work in the school attached to St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wellington - terrace.. The Ladies' Guild has been preparing articles of all descriptions for the poet yoat-, and the result is an attractive collection' of 'useful and ornamental goods. There are some interesting side-shows. The sale will be continued fco-morrow, and .in the evening a concert wjll be Jielcl. An attractive programme has been prepared for Mr. I^emare's organ recital in the Town Hall to-night. A party fiom Government House, inelmlj ing Lord and Ludy Plunket, have signified their intention of being presents