SUPREME COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1924, Page 3

SUPREME COURT.

[by telegraph—rrn press association./ R.D. MARTIN'S CASE. ACCUSED’S EVIDENCE. CHRISTCHURCH. February 20. The trial of Russel] Dytes Afartin was continued to-day. when the evidence for the Crown was closed. ' Permission was given to withdraw one charge of allegedly making a false declaration in respect of the Bakers' Union. Mr Donnelly saving that there wa ; not sufficient evidence to support it.

Mr W. P. Hunter, counsel for the neeufed, submitted that two similar counts in respect to the Hairdressers’ Union should be withdrawn on the .‘■ame ground. The accused gave evidence, detailing, h-x work in Canterbury and elsewhere for the Shop Assistants’ Union. The local Union bad never been able, to meet its liabilities front the start, and wit-m-s, had never received his salary regulaily. AYhile lie was away on Union business, work was let go as a. rule. His duties were considerably increased when fie was appointed Secretary of the Bakers’ Union. Tlie cash that came in was kept in three cash boxes, but !'.:• had continually to go from one to the other for change. The loss on the Shop Assistants’ Union in 1921 was £lB Its lOd; in 1922. £44 9s; and in 1923. £IBO. For six months of the current financial year, the loss was £Bl. making a total of £353 15s lOd. He bud not stolen any moneys of the I nin. Bait uf the money which should have been placed to the credit of tlie Makers’ Union had been used to meet pressing accounts of the Shop Assistants’ Union, thoug'i he had not realis'd he was doing this at the time. If tlu- latter Union had refused to refund the money, he would have done so himso! I '. He had always been in a position to do so. The Court adjourned till to-morrow.

UNDER CROSS-EXAMINATION CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 21. The third day's trial of R. D. Alar tin for alleged theft of trade union moneys brought the case to I lie crossexamination of the accused. Excusing his mixing of tin' funds of the bakers’ union and the shop assistants’, Marlin said there was a deeiiTed difference. between that and mixing' the funds of two linns, as Unions continually help one another. lie denied making a false statement in regard, to the appointment- of auditors.