The Ward Farmers' Association.

Hastings Standard, Issue 381, 24 July 1897, Page 3

The Ward Farmers' Association.

(By Telegraph.) (Per Press Association.) Dunedin, July 23. Mr Chapman intimated that he did not intend to re-examine Mr Ward. Mr Fisher, late manager of the Association, said he had been manager of the Association since its inception, and gave evidence as to the duties of Mr Ward and the various officers. Mr Ward initiated the policy and arranged the finance. In Mr Ward's absence he partially took upon himself Mr Ward's duties. When Anderson was not in the room he acted as secretary at the directors' meetings. The articles of association provided thafc • the balance-sheets should be signed by two of the directors and the secretary. That course was not followed, and witness signed the balance sheet in 1893, 1891, and 1N95, because he thought it customary for the manager to do so. He did not remember ever speaking to Mr Hannah about auditing the accounts, and as lie was not in Court during the whole of Mr Hannah's evidence he could not answer the questions relative to his evidence. Mr Hannah was there to do his duty. He never interfered with him. The directors were not consulted regarding the advance to Mr Ward, and unless it appeared in the minutes the directors were not consulted about Mr War l's account. He did not know of any document further than the books laid before , the directors *yhich could show the state of Mr Ward's account. The books were never brought into the meeting, and he did not think the directors ever referred to the books. It was stated in the original prospectus of the Association that the sale would not include the Ocean Beach freezing works, and Mr Ward would conduct this business himself. Afterwards the company undertook the financing of the freezing works the same as they would take any other business on commission. He denied that the Association lost any money out of the freezing works as Mr Ward paid the deficiency. This matter was never referred to the directors officially, but they must have known of it as all Southland knew of it. The account was always looked upon as part of Mr Ward's account and was transferred to his account on balancing day because it is customary for book-keeping purposes to focus all accounts on balancing day. This day. Mr Fisher's examination was not concluded when the Court adjourned for the day.