A MISSING OFFICIAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12901, 12 February 1906, Page 7

A MISSING OFFICIAL.

.ALLEGED COOKING OF ACCOUNTS. /■ -. •;'.":'"■'

Per. Press Association.

CHRISTCHURCHJ February li:

■Regarding the statement published Isoirie •days ago that a piominent friendly society .official had left Christchurch ostensibly for a "holiday,"'■but' had never returned. the man in question has, _it is secretary of two lodges: for' a number _:bf years, :one being an order which enbraces a considerable portion of Canterbury, and, ithe other, though not a? strong' lodge, that receives a fair amount of nually. Tie; official a " free lance" in receipt jit these lodges and the only;;:tiniigG low the money which lie\tTeceiy^;oWas- ; disT iposed of .was his books, lie has "fakei"• so systemitically^oiosometime past that the conld v °nlyi. de- ; clare " duly., audited '|i3*riecti?'_ at ; the 'end.-of every wolfed well -till the Trheri he left ostensibly for a has T>ertirnS3/ pfThe' roles state,/ it is jtii'ak: if"a Tnember does tend at three consecutive meetings his place; •will he ■vacant, andgans election- will- take. place. This rule pal? ac"eora&sy;: £<dßr plied with and "'were""ahdited again, hut .«nly: : twp deficiencies were found for minor stubs, any further possible defalcations .'.defying detection.; : Howr long this has been in progress can only be conjectured. The money r^eceived:: ; for.No. 2 lodge was found to be acknowledged onthe. leeeipt-. L fprni■:of■. N0... I;,lodge, and: mprt-. gages .which,,plight to. haye been considerably _ reduced are, .little. At. anything, -less than" when they'~wSfe" -Fair*, ther developments, are likely to occur later;,, but -it,is understood that been" issned/ f or./the .absconder's arrest..'.