BOARD IN TROUBLE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18400, 5 June 1925, Page 10

BOARD IN TROUBLE.

AUDITOR-GENERAI/'S "TAG." . / -.. - . ■ •. • l ' ' .'. ''.'■' (PBKSS ASSOCIATION TBLEOftAM.> AUCKLAND, June 4. The action of the. Auditor-General in "tagging" expenditure incurred by the Auckland Education. Board,. which expenditure had been included m its current account," was discussed, again a-fi, the Board's- meeting. - ~ The Auditor-General considered that certain expenditure involved in-the retention of visiting teachers, attending ex-members' funerals, and donations; should have come under the heading ot unauthorised expenditure. Ihis is limited by legislation to £SO annually, the result of the AuditorJGenerai s decree bein°- that members were called upon to refund between them the 'slim- ot £4€. •• - . ' , At xi previous meeting some members showed a disposition to defend the claim, and though the-Board as a whole-decid-ed not to take this action individual members were left to decide the matter for themselves. This morning a memorandum was received from the Auditor-General statincr that as full adjustment had not been made there was no option but to issue surcharges on all members, jointly and severally, in terms of the Public Kevenues Act, for the balance. Seven days were allowed for full repayment. The chairman (Mf A. Burns) said that oidy ono member had not paid, but this action involved the whole Board for his share. Mr Wells: I think we';all support our local John Hampton in the stand he has taken. I hope he will continue. I don't mind being dragged in too. If the case goeß against us 1 ami quite prepared to pay my share. Mr Burns said there was no doubt that they would lose. He, favoured trying to get tho authorised limit enlarged in future. It did not follow that it would be all expended. The matter was left' in the chairman's hto<nds.