RESEARCH FUNDS MISSING

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1934, Page 7

RESEARCH FUNDS MISSING

CANCER RESEARCH SOCIETY PROFESSOR CHAPMAN DEAD CAUSE OF DEATH UNKNOWN SENSATIONAL ALLEGATIONS By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. Rec. 8.45 p.m. Sydney, June 1. Sensational disclosures concerning the financial affairs of Professor Henry George Chapman, director of cancer research at Sydney University, whose death was announced last Saturday, were made in the Bankruptcy Court to-day upon a petition by the Royal Society alleging that Professor Chapman as treasurer had misappropriated the society’s funds amounting to £3360, and stating that the society held no security over Professor Chapman’s estate. Evidence was given of fruitless efforts to locate the professor’s supposed assets, a list of which was attached to his will amounting to £85,000. Witnesses described the assets as “mere bluff.” It was revealed to-day that a doctor had refused to give a certificate of Professor Chapman’s death on May 25, and the police commenced investigations. The Government pathologist last week-end conducted a post-mortem examination and forwarded the stomach contents to an analyst, who has not yet been able to determine the cause of death.

Sir George Julius, chairman of the Australian National Research Council, said Chapman as treasurer of that body had custody of important books which were missing, and that Government bonds to the value of £13,500 and £2500 in funds of the research council could not' be accounted for. Witness estimated that Chapman’s assets did not exceed. £2OOO. Another witness stated Chapman was constantly being pressed for audits by both societies, and that large sums of money had been drawn from time to time by Chapman from the banks which handled the research council’s account. Chapman, who lived most of his time at the University Club, left a will dated May 3, three weeks before his death,, bequeathing all his estate to his. widow, who resides in the Blue Mountains. The Royal Society is asking the Court for administration of Chapman’s estate.