Institute accounts system criticised

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32965, 11 July 1972, Page 14

Institute accounts system criticised

Trade representatives on the Christchurch Technical Institute council last night attacked the presentation of the financial accounts of the institute.

The representatives, a former chairman of the council, Mr R. Jones, and Messrs A. F. Ross and R. J. Pitcairn, said they had been dissatisfied with the way in which the monthly accounts had been presented for more than a year. Insufficient information was being presented to them, they said, and it was their responsibility as elected representatives of the trades to find out where money was being spent. The three men said they wished to have an itemised account of all expenditure of the institute, which last year reached more than $109,000, excluding salaries. They said they did not question the ability of the council’s financial committee, but said that they had a legal responsibility for the finances of the council. The nine other members of the council present considered that the present system was sufficient to safeguard the responsibility of all members.

Mr A. Farrar, the chairman, and Mr C. H. Russell, the deputy chairman, said that the preparation of an itemised account of expenditure would require the secretary to work most of the

Sunday before each meeting. Mr Ross: I’m sure this is not the case; a junior typist could do the work. When Mr Lyall (the former principal) was here, we had no problems on this matter. The principal (Mr C. V. Gallager), who is also the secretary of the council, said that the financial policy of all technical institutes had undergone important changes in the last two years. Mr Ross: I realise this. It is not that I distrust anyone; all I want is to know where the money has gone. Mr Russell: But you get that in the present budget Statement. Mr Ross: I want to know what the accounts are in toto so that at the end of the year I can use them to make my own calculations. A motion moved by Mr P. Scoular that the council refer the matter to the Government Auditor for his comments on the responsibility of council members about finance was supported by all but the three trades representatives. The council accepted Mr Gallagher’s offer to prepare a sample copy of the trades representatives’ request, to establish the amount of extra work entailed.