FUNDS OF MESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22608, 22 December 1936, Page 7

FUNDS OF MESS

PUBLIC WORKS CAMP COOKS FAIL TO ACCOUNT CRITICISM OF THE SYSTEM [by t pj.ec; it ap n —own correspondent] WIIAXGAUEr, Monday Criticism of tlio method of collecting and paying moss accounts at a Public Works transmission camp was expressed in the Police Court to-day by Mr. G. X Morris, S.M., when William Gordon Bell (Mr. Trimmer) and Desmond Henry Hurst O'Connor (Mr. Moss), were jointly charged that, at Maungaturoto. tliev failed to account for sums of .£2l 2s 9(1 and £ll lis 4d. the property of the Public Works transmission camp mess. O'Connor was also charged with the theft of los and' Bell with failing to account for £lB L'Js id. Both accused pleaded guilty. Constable Harrington said that the system of controlling the mess accounts was for the men to elect a secretary, whose duty it was to collect payments from them. The chief cook, Bell, took over the money with which to pay the tradesmen's accounts. Man's Trip to City Prior to the Labour week-end, when Bell went to the Auckland races, he loaned some of the mess money to men in the camp, and took the balance with him, the constable added. Jn Auckland he loaned further amounts and stated that he also spent some himself. The constable said that Bell, on his return to the camp, took O'Connor, who was an assistant cook, into his confidence. O'Connor volunteered to help him. After collecting further mess moneys 801 l and O'Connor sent a sum to pay most of the outstanding accounts in Kaipara, but they held back £lO, which they put- on a horse. They also collected a further sum of £ll lis 4d from the men, and this, they stated, they were unable to account for. When arrested they had no money. Comment by Magistrate After hearing counsels' submissions the magistrate said he agreed that the system apparently in force, at least in this camp, would lead to trouble. "Hero we have men for the most part without work or money during the depression years suddenly put ift the position of collecting funds from the other men, and when it is not paid in a lump sum, so that the accounts can be immediately met, others get short of money and borrow from the man in charge of the mess funds, he added. O'Connor was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, with hard labour. Bell was placed on probation for two years and ordered to make restitution of £36 at £1 a week.