WATERSIDE UNION FUNDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2544, 17 February 1923, Page 2

WATERSIDE UNION FUNDS.

FORMER SECRETARY CHARGED.

ALLEGED DEFICIT OF £1,036. Wellington, Yesterday. James George Bruce, formerly se- <• rotary of the Wellington Watersjdors’ Union, was charged with theft in the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Chapman to-day. The charges are in connection with an alleged deficit of £1,036, but the Crown is only proceeding l’egarding the sum of £846, which Brace is alleged to hame mis a ppro pr iat e d from the funds of the Union. Accused pleaded not guilty and in evidence stated that the amount represented tickets to workers, for which he had not been paid. Mr Macassey for the Crown, in outlining the cxx.se, said accused, as secretary of the Union, was responsible fox - all moneys received. A statement of the finances issued by Brace and published in the “Maoriland Worker,” would be proved to lie false. Brace did not deixv that t here was a deficit, and pi*omised to repay the money, hut had not done so. James Laureiison, present seei-e----tary of the Union, said the audit showed a deficiency of £1,030. Brace had admitted the shortage,-and asked for an opportunity to pay the money hack. Lengthy evidence was heard for the prosecution and defence, during which it was stated that Bruce had prepared a printed statement, explaining Hie position to members, hut Mr L. Glover, president of the l nion, had stopped its distribution, as an error in the figures was discovered, and the auditor’s name was not attached to the document. Accused informed the Court that limes were bad, and he had issued tickets for men to get work without payment, amounting appi*oximately to 400, representing £BOO. SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS’ HARD LABOUR. Wellington, Last Night. After several' hours’ retirement the jui-y found James George Bruce the funds of the Wellington Watersi tiers’ Union, a body to which acexxsed had been attached for a number of years as secretary. The jury recommended the accused to mercy, on account of the special circumstances, and the facilities offered by him in connection with the discrepancy. Mr Justice Chapman pronounced sentence immediately, committing Brace to prison for 18 months, with hard labour. The case lasted throughout the oay, the monxing being taken up. with the cross-examining of prisoner by Mr Macassey (Crown Prosecutor) . After Mr -Toogood had addressed the jxxry on behalf of Bruce Mr Macassey replied for the Crown. His Honour summed up at considerable length.