TREASURER SPENDS FOOTBALL CLUB FUNDS

Grey River Argus, 10 April 1948, Page 8

TREASURER SPENDS FOOTBALL CLUB FUNDS

CHRISTCHURCH, April 9 A charge against Frederick Charles Crosado, aged 51, a labourer, of stealing, at various times between February 28, 1947, and February 12, 1948, sums totalling £223 17s 6d, the property of the Sumner Rugby Football Club, was heard before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Detective-Sergeant A. A. Herron prosecuted, and Dr A. L. Haslam appeared for the accused. Leonard Robert Cant, a war pensioner, president of the Sumner Rugby Football Club, said that the accused was elected treasurer of the club in July, 1946, and held the position until March, 1948. The accused had control of the financial affairs of the club. On March 16, 1948, the club’s books were audited and it was reported to the club that there was a deficiency of £223 17s 6d in its funds. A general meeting of the club was held that evening, the deficiency was discussed, and a resolution was passed. authorising the setting up of a committee to discuss the position with the accused. The accused made an i offer and said he expected to receive funds from the sale of a section. Inquiries showed that this would meet only a part of the deficiency and it was not considered satisfactory. The committee decided that the deficiency should be reported to the police and this was done on March 20. The accused had no authority to use the club’s funds for his own purpose. Hector John Finlayson, an accountant. said he audited the books of the club. They showed a credit balance of £245 11s Bd, but the Post Office Savings Bank account, showed a credit of only £2l 14s 2d. The sum of £223 17s 6d was not accounted for. Detective-Sergeant G. W. Alty, said he interviewed Crosado on March 22. The accused was quite frank and admitted he stole the money over a period from February, 1947. to February, 1.948. Witness then read a statement made by the accused in which the accused said he was responsible for the deficiency. When he first converted some of the money to his own use he intended only to borrow it and repay it, but he was unable x to do' this. When he had to pay an account he used to draw- a few pounds extra and keep this extra amount. He had been in ill-health for some time and was unable to work at times so he suffered a loss in wages. He would endeavour to make restitution. The position of club treasurer was; an honorary one, said Crosado’s statement. Crosado pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence,