HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBER FOR TRIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 200, 12 November 1927, Page 12

HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBER FOR TRIAL

ALLEGED THEFT OF FUNDS AUDITOR’S DISCLOSURES (Special to THE SUN.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Friday. Pleading not guilty to 24 charges of theft of the Taranaki Hospital Board’s funds, ranging in sums from £2B down to £l, over a period from February, 1924, to August, 1927, Thomas Herbert Sinclair, who appeared on remand, in the magistrate’s court at Opunake to-day, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Accused, who is a retired farmer, was a member of the Taranaki Hospital Board, and acted as secretary for the Opunake Cottage Hospital Committee. The total discrepancy disclosed by an audit was £lB2 IJs, while accused had payments which left £46 12s Id unaccounted for. It was stated in evidence that acA cused was regarded as a man of high integrity, and that he occupied various public positions and offices of trust. George Edward Alley, Government audit inspector at New Plymouth, said that an audit of the Taranaki Hospital Board’s books revealed that certain fees shown as outstanding had been paid to Sinclair, and the moneys had not been accounted for to the board. Witness supplied a list of 26 accounts which had been paid, but not accounted for. “A COMPLETE ANSWER” Witness paid £lOl 10s 9d into the board’s account at Opunake, representing fees previously unaccounted for to the board. Later accused admitted having received further fees amounting to £lO 9s, which sum he paid into the board’s account on the same day. The total amount unaccounted for was £l7O 2s, and after accused’s payments he had still received the sum of £46 12s Id, of which there was no record. "We have a full and complete answer to the charges, and reserve our defence,” said Mr. O'Dea, in entering a i plea of not guilty. Bail was allowed in accused’s own ; recognisance, £IOO, and two sureties lof £IOO.