BY FRANCIS JOSEPH, TRINIDAD GUARDIAN

The High Court has given the Government full control of the Hindu Credit Union Co-Operative Society Limited (HCU).

The Commissioner for Co-Operative Development, Charles Mitchell, applied and got several orders yesterday afternoon, taking full control of HCU, which has been experiencing financial problems over the past months.

The HCU, headed by president Harry Harnarine, has been unable to repay depositors their money, despite requests from lawyers.

Last night, orders were served on the staff of HCU at their headquarters at Main Road, Chaguanas.

The court order made it quite clear that anyone who failed to obey the order, would be liable to imprisonment for contempt of court.

The Guardian understands that agents of the Commissioner of Co-Operative Development descended on the HCU last night to take over the running of the financially-strapped institution.

Attempts to reach Harnarine last night were unsuccessful.

The commissioner, who was represented by Reginald Armour, SC, Vanessa Gopaul and Brian Hewitt, made the ex parte application before Justice Nolan Bereaux in the Port-of-Spain High Court.

Chartered accountants, Ernst and Young, who were locked out of HCU head office last Thursday during an audit, were represented by attorney Stuart Young at the hearing.

After a public outcry and calls for an internal audit in accordance with the Co-Operative Societies Act, Ernst and Young entered the HCU head office at Main Road, Chaguanas, in June and began inspecting the books, accounts, and records of the financial institution.

From: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO HIGH COMMISSION - PRETORIA

Dear Sir

The attached is for your information. Please circulate this attached offer amongst your membership who might be interested in bilateral trade.

I have been advised to inform you that with respect to the last item "Product or service description", a brief description of goods must be submitted.

Thanking you for your kind assistance.

Sincerely
Ann Shepherd
/f/ High Commissioner