SECRETARY CHARGED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15124, 15 October 1912, Page 5

SECRETARY CHARGED.

j. AN ASSOCIATION'S FUNDS, Before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., at the Police. Court yesterday Peter M. Snlenta was charged with receiving moneys amounting to £12 in various amounts for which it was alleged ho had so far not accounted. The accused, who was defended by Mr. C. J. Tunks, stated that the funds paid him were used on business pertaining to the association. Charles Albert Young, president of the Viticultural Association, deposed that between September 11 and November 21, 1911, he had paid tho sum of £12 to accused, for which ho obtained the receipt produced. Tho accused, he said, had not paid tho money into an account to bo opened in the Bank of New Zealand. Witness did not know his address, but subsequently found that ho had left Auckland. Upon ascertaining accused's address witness wrote to him, asking hint to call a meeting of members. The accused replied that private reasons prevented him from doing so. Witness wrote again, but had received no reply to a request for a list of subscribers. He wrote tho letter as members were being asked for subscriptions already paid, and tho credit of the association was suffering., No reply was forthcoming. The association was registered on July 26, 1912, and a new secretary was engaged. In reply to defendant's counsel, witness stated that tho accused had no right to retain or use the moneys of tho Viticultural Association, other than in paying certain costs of printing. Accounts for printing had been received by the association, but they had not been paid. He ! remembered a telegram from Wellington in reference to the advisability of circular- I ising members of Parliament regarding tho J association, but could not say whether it was addressed to him or to the association. Accused had not had instructions authorising such circularisation from him. ; To Detective Cox: Bills sent in had in- ■ eluded £3 5s for circulars to members of | the House. It was not thought necessary i at the time of accused's appointment as ' secretary to point out that the office was I purely honorary. It was generally under- I stood.

Witness further acknowledged, in crossexamination, that the question of circularising members of Parliament had been discussed by tho committee, which had protested against the proposal, but had allowed their secretary to carry it out, if he chose, at his own expense. Tho accused, who reserved his defence, was committed for trial. Bail in two sureties of £50 was allowed.