A DISHONEST TREASURER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3801, 18 January 1927, Page 15

A DISHONEST TREASURER.

THEFT FROM LAWN TENNIS CLUB. WELLINGTON, January 12. Charged with the theft of sums of money totalling £76 3s 5d belonging to the Upper Hutt Lawn Tennis Club, William Joseph Pyrtle Howe, a carpenter, aged 38, appeared before Messrs G. Anyon and A. I.ongmore, justices of the peace, in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Thomas Robertson, a resident of Upper Hutt, said that Howe was treasurer of the club Jor several years previous to October 14, 1926, when he resigned. Witness and the present treasurer, Mr Hanson, asked him on several occasions for the balance of the club’s books, and on November 11 he said that he had placed the proceeds from a bazaar in 1924 in his private account, because his wife was afraid of having so much money in the house. Asked to withdraw the monev Howe promised to do so within a few days, but it was not until December 1 that he handed over a withdrawal slip for £BO. 'Fhe next day witness. received a letter from the accused stating that there were no funds in the bank to meet the slip, and asking him not to inform anyone of the shortage. Howe did not hand over his own bank book, but an offer to repay the money by instalments was later made by his solicitors. —

To Mr Scott: The club was quite prepared as late as December 10 to overlook Howe’s offence, provided the. money was refunded.

Detective Kearney said that Howe, when interviewed, admitted that he had used the club’s money in his personal bank account. The accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was renewed.