THE WARD FARMERS' ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 179, 3 August 1897, Page 5

THE WARD FARMERS' ASSOCIATION.

(CONIINUED FROM PAGE 2.)

EXAMINATION OF THE HON.

MCLEAN.

(by telegraph.—press association.)

Dunedin, this day,

Mr McLean's examination was continued this morning. Ho said although tho final decision regarding the writing off rested with- the Board they never refused to write off everything Mr McKenzie asked. They never wroto off more than he asked. Tho Inspector put down tho debtß ao bad to a certain extent, which was right, but his ostimato was nob followed by the goneral manager or directors in making up the balance sheet. It was nob correcb, if Mackenzie Bbab9d so, that the value of the buildings and goodwill for balance-sheet purposes was frequently discussed ab Board meetings. The good will was never taken into account as againsb bad debts. He did nob think Mr Mackenzie said so. In his evidence, he repeated, the directors never discussed the goodwill or valued buildings in writing off bad debts. The gross profits were divided ab the Board table and Mr Mackenzie figured up the amount available presumable after consideration. Witness here declaimed ab Counsel endeavouring the prevent tho answers. The truth was, had a less dividend than 7 per cent been required, ib would have been paid, buc the money had been well earned. Mr MacKonzie's recommendation as to dividends were always followed. In 1892, witness wanted bo pay loss than 7 par cent, bub Mr Mackenzie did nob. Witness also wantod the dividend reduced in 1895, on account of the terrible crisis, and half a million going out never suggested a lower dividend than five per cent. He did nob speak to the directors aboub bhe proposed reduction of thirty bad debts written off in 1888 representing bhe total debts written oft that year. The directors accepted the manager's details, as it was an impossibility for them to go over two and ahalf millions advancea. They went over the balance books half-yearly.

At the meeting of the Auckland Board of Education to day, before certain correspondence relating to tho children's jubilee address to the Queen was being read, referonce was made to the death of Mr William Wildman, of Auckland. The Chairman (Mr S. Luke) referred in terms of regrob to Mr Wildman'e death, and said the deceased gentleman was a man of letters, and was well-known to all of them. He had been of very great service in connection with sending out the circulars to the schools for the Jubilee address from the children to the Queen. His widow waa a teacher in the employ of tho Board, and he movod that a letter of sympathy and condolence be sent to her in connection with her husband's death. Mr V. E. Rice, Secretary to the Board, said thab Mr Wildman had been the originator of the proposal to S6nd a school children's address to the Queen. Mr Luke's motion was agreed to unanimously.