SECRETARY IN TROUBLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 December 1925, Page 9

SECRETARY IN TROUBLE.

SERIES OF CHARGES AGAINST

HIM. A WANGANUI CASE. (by TELEGRAPH- —PRESS. ASSOCIATION.) WANGANUI, Dec. li. The hearing of a series of charges ol fraudulently omitting to account for moneys paid in rates for the PateaWaitotara Rabbit Board is proceeding against David G. Strachan, late secretary to- the board. There'are some 19 charges. Most of the amounts involved are small, and the total iiiinvolved is approximately £124. Strachan was appointed secretary in March, 1924-, and held the position till November, 2nd last. Harry Marbro-ok, Government audi-r tor, said that ther e had never been a previous audit of the accounts of the board, which was constituted in 1923.

Duncan Munroe, Government Stock Inspector, an official member of the board, said that at the meetings the financial position was explained by Mr Strachan, but lie never remembered the pass book ever being produced. He had every confidence in Strachan till the first week in October, 1925, when lie doubted the accuracy of the statement. Witness asked for the receipt books, and received a series, some pink and some grey. No reason was given for the. various- co’ours.

The auditor stated that he originally received four receipt hooks, -some pink and some grey, and later, another pink one. Detective Revell subsequently found one receipt book missing and told the accused. The latter replied that it must have been lost. The four exhibits put in court were all out of the missing hook. A reecipt, No. 245, which was produced, was out of the missing hook. The amount received had not been paid to the board’s account, but to Strachan’s trust account. The accused, in a statement, admitted that the missing book'would l represent the amount of approximately £IOO, He was a busy man, connected with various other organisations, and had helped some financially and had not been reimbursed. He had not converted the money to his own use. Ttio case is proceeding.