MUNICIPAL LOOSENESS.

Auckland Star, Issue 17, 21 January 1932, Page 9

MUNICIPAL LOOSENESS.

PALMER.STON CITY COUNCIL TWO RESIGNATIONS. REPORT BY THE AUDITOR. Looseness in tlie control of the equipment and stock of the Palmerston North City Council, which has been the subject of a report by the Government auditor, was referred to at a meeting of the council, when the Mayor, Mr. A. G. Mansford, explained the position. The resignations of the assistant town clerk and the purchasing officer have been accepted as from January 10. Mr. Mansford said that the council had not received the honest service from

its staff that was to be expected, and this lack of faith was not confined to one department. Remarkable rumours of what had happened and what was to happen were in circulation, while the two young men employed on the public counter had been submitted to insinuations that were unfair and unkind. If any suspicions had been attached to these employees they would not have been there. Mr. Mansford said that he was of the opinion that the report of the auditors should be made public, for the ratepayers were entitled to know the information contained in it. He moved in this direction. Mr. J. Ilodgens, who supported the Mayor, said that the publication of the report would undoubtedly give greater restraint to possible recurrences, and would tend to restrain the activities of those who were playing fast and loose with public property in other parts of the Dominion. The following comment was contained in the auditor's report: "I have to confirm the information that a most unsatisfactory state of affairs has been disclosed as the result of my stocktaking of the fittings held by the council. The stock sheets as supplied by the stores officer disclose shortages, and some of the items require explanation." One motor shown in stock was sold over two years ago, while another was returned to the store on the day following the stocktaking. Another motor shown in stock was paid for in September, 1930, while still another shown in stock was at the power station." The auditor found that a motor had been installed at the residence of one of the city officers in -February, 1930, without a permit being issued for the job or the fittings being charged. On examining the lighting account for last December he found that no charge had been made for power, while the meter card did not show where the motor was. Further, there was no record to show that the meter had been installed. Other unsatisfactory matters were outlined. A clause in the works committee's recommendations showed that the assistant town clerk and the city purchasing officer had been requested to hand in their resignations to the town clerk. The decision had been arrived at after the two employees concerned had been heard and questioned at length by the committee. The council adopted the recommendations .and decided to call applications for the positions.