Auditor clarifies remarks

Press, 16 December 1985, Page 14

Auditor clarifies remarks

PA Auckland The Audit Office said if made no suggestion that Waitemata’s Mayor, Mr Tim Shadbolt, had .applied money from the Mayoress Relief Fund for his own use. A report in the “Auckland Star” and carried by the New Zealand Press Association said the department was “not satisfied” with Mr Shadbolt’s “use” of the fund. The Assistant Controller and Auditor-General, Mr Stuart Keene, said an implication could be drawn from the report that the Mayor applied money to his own use.

Mr Keene said the Audit Department’s concern was that public money might be applied to the fund and therefore should be subject to audit. Mr Shadbolt had contributed money to the fund Which he had received in his capacity as Mayor and Mr Kenne said such money was public money. There was nothing improper in contributing it to the Mayoress Relief Fund but as it was intermingled with private donations it should be subject to an audit. Mr Shadbolt said the money he put in the fund

was “ribbon-cutting” money. The “Star” did not intend to suggest Mr Shadbolt had taken money from the fund nor that he was making improper use of the fund.