EMBEZZLEMENT OF LODGE FUNDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81868, 18 October 1906, Page 2

EMBEZZLEMENT OF LODGE FUNDS.

Per Press Association. Wellington, October 17. Tho magisterial hearing of the charges against James Robertson of having stolon from Court Sir George Grey, A.0.0.F., of which he was secruaiy, Ihe sum of ,£398, concluded, defendant*being committed for tnal. Alban Knapp treasurer of the lodge, said that during the last iwelve years there had been seventeen 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 or many "occasions Henry Birch, who acted as special auditor, said the balance-sheets were fairly accurate with one exception. - Difficulty occurred over the amount of money on mortgage and freehold property. When he and his colleague finished to 1895, they found the deficiency to' be £2OO. On 30th March thoy invited the trustees, secretary and treasurer to come together. The auditors on that occasion made statements showing the deficiency on the 1895 accounts, and asked the secretary, in the presence of the trustees, to give an explanation. If*lie could give no explanation at the request 1 f the trustees, the auditors agreed to continue the audit and bring it uo to date.