TRADES COUNCIL'S EXHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10417, 22 March 1912, Page 2

TRADES COUNCIL'S EXHIBITION.

CLAIM BY ASSISTANT SECRETARYTho adjourned case in which Frederick Meyer, assistant secretary of the committee of tho recent Exhibition conducted by tho Trades and Labour Council, sued tho Council for £73 7s lid, oirfc of pocket expenses in connection with his duties, was resumed at the jMaccistrnto's Court this morning before Mill. W, Bishop, S.M. Mr G. T. Weston appeared for tho plaintiff and Mr Hunter for the Trades and Labour Council.

Mr Jluntor said he regretted the parties had not been able to conic to a settlement as suggested, by his Worship. They would therefore have to go on with the ease. Mr Hunter proceeded to open the case for. the defence, and said that in Anew of the fact that there was £179 of art union tickets proceeds unaccounted for, the Council felt it could not place implicit confidence in. tho endorsement of the plaintiff's account by the secretary.

William Williams, a member of the executive, said he was a Justice of the Peace. Tho Finance Committee of tho Exhibition had charge of funds in trust for the various unions. Tho petty cash account was under tho control of the general, secretary, who was .authorised to pay all accounts of £1 or under out of petty cash. Larger accounts had to be passed by tho Finance Committee. The plaintiff had no authority to spend money, unless authorised by the general secretary. Tho Finance Committee met weekly during the Exhibition period, and petty cash payments made by the general secretary were frequently passed. The plaintiff was instructed not to make any payments during Young's absence, but to obtain any stationery required from Redfern's. Any petty cash expenditure by the plaintiff should have been repaid to him, by Young on his return. When Young presented plaintiff's account to the Finance Committee, Young said he knew nothing about it. Ho later said the item for stationery might be correct. The Finance Committee decided to ask tho plaintiff for details of his account, and such details wero not supplied. Plaintiff could have made claims for his expenses weekly, either to the general secretary or to the Finance Committee, but had neglected to do so. Had such claims been made, they would have been met. Tho executive accepted no legal responsibility for plaintiff's expenses in Wellington. Plaintiff undoubtedly did good work for the benefit of the exhibition in Wellington, and had he at once claimed for his expenses such expenses would probably nave been paid. Plaintiff was (placed in charge of the exhibition office in Cashel Street, but soon proved himself pnfit to perform the clerical duties required of him, and Young was empowered to engage additional assistance. Plaintiff presented an account for the cleaning of tho office when occupation was taken of it, but submitted, no further accounts on this scoro till tho prosent claim was made. It would have been very easy to get any cleaning required done free of charge. There was nothing to prevent the plaintiff having his meals at home. Witness had twice called nt tho exhibition office at the lunch hour, and on one occasion found it open, but deserted, while on tho second it was locked up. While plaintiff was canvassing for prizes hp was not at tho office at all. There was no reason why he should not have his meals at home.

To Mr Weston: Tho Finance Committee accepted Young's petty cash statement at the conclusion of tho exhibition without question. Ho nover saw plaintiff's wife in the exhibition office. Plaintiff had done excellent work in canvassing for trophies and prizes, and a proposal was placed before tho general committee that lie should receive an extra £1 a. week, biit plaintiff said that recognition of his services should beheld over till after tho exhibition. The Financo Committee did not grant the increase, because tho finances did not warrant it, and because tho increase would have given plaintiff a bigger salary than his superior officer. Young. To Mr Hunter: The salaries paid to secretaries covered all services rendered.

To the Magistrate: Ho began to lone confidence in Young shortly after the opening of the exhibition. There wa3 considerable drinking going on, but on Young's undertaking that.it would stop he was retained in his position. There was a surplus of liquor over from the opening ceremony. Young gave an undertaking that it would bo removed from the exhibition premises promise was not carried out. , Young continued to hold office as exhibition secretary till tho close of the exhibition. He had since resigned his position ns secretary of the IVades and Labour Council. Watson F. Cooper, chairman of tho Finance Committee of tho recent exhibition, said that tho general secretary was instructed to see that all moneys received were to be paid into the bank within forty-eight hours of receipt. Tho Finance Comroitteo voted £.32 for petty cash, and then Young ceased to apply for petty cash. Subsequently Young put in an account for for petty cash. No payments were nxssed for incidental expenses during Young's absence. Witness signed all cheques, in conjunction with "Young. No apolication was made for payments for office cleaning. To the Magistrate: Plaintiff's salary of £3 a week included keeping th'o rooms 111 Cash el Street clean." Kb special provision was made for cleaning, save that plaintiff was given charge of the rooms. Mr Bishon: I have charge of the Court., hut I don't therefore undertake the cleaning. Witness, continuing, said that plaintiff had £3 a week and there, iras no obligation to provide him with board as well. No authority was given to members of the executive to lunch at plaintiff's expense. There was no stipulation preventing plaintiff closing the office to co and have liis r.ion 1 Plaintil coiilcl get nnj stationery lie waited from Rcdfem's and had no right to get anv elsewhere. Mr Ttisli on said evidence had been given that n meniher of the executive instructed plaintiff to get paper elsewhere.

"Witness, eontimiinsr, said that Young ninl plaintiff sometimes took cabs together, nnrl there wore claims for cnbhire in tho pettf cash account submitted by Young. Witness had personally refused to sanction plaintiff (.mint; to Wellington, but hnd not oower to prevent him going. Plaintiff made no application for bis expenses at Wellington. Plaintiff discharged his duties as assistant see rotary in an unsatisfactory manner.

Mr Bishop : Then why did yon retain him P

"Witness said his committee recommended plaintiff's removal to a (liferent position, hut the executive dissented.

Mr Bishop: That is no use to you Mr Hunter.

Tn reply to Mr "Weston, witness said that, if the gen oral secretary had presented an account for petty cash disbursements by plaintiff, endorsed, by the committees, it would hare been passed. Til renly to a Question by Mr Bishop, .Tames Young said he was absent from Ohristcluivch from May 2R to nbout July P, during which period he transacted 110 Exhibition business. Mr Weston said that payments wero made by cheque during that period.

The case was further adjourned till the following Wednesday.