COUNTS AND OFFENCES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12001, 19 October 1906, Page 5

COUNTS AND OFFENCES.

£?!<sjjf-?a Stealing of Lodge Money (T'«r TTuiW«d I'irsH Association). WELLINGTON, October 17 The magisterial hearing of the charges against James Robertson, of having stolen from Court Sir George Grey, A.O.F. (of which he was secretary), the sum of j£39B, concluded to-day, defendant being committed for trial. Allan Knapp, treasurer to the lodge, said that dxiring the last 12 years there had been 17 different auditors to the lodge. These had certified that the accounts were correct. He knew that Robertson had paid cash out of his own pocket on many occasions. Henry Birch, who acted as special auditor, said witness' balance-sheets were fairly accurate with one exception. Difficulty occurred over the amount of money on mortgage and freehold property. When he and his colleagues finished to 1895, they found the deficiency to be £200. On the 30th March they invited the trustees, secretary, and treasurer to come together. The auditors on that occa3ion made statements showing the deficiency on the 1895 accounts, and asked the secretary in the presence, of the trustees, to give an explanation if he could. He gave no explanation.