THE TOUCHER INCIDENT.

Grey River Argus, 19 October 1905, Page 3

THE TOUCHER INCIDENT.

Enquiry Into the Colony's Audit 1 System. PRELIMINARY SITTING SCOPE OF THE ENQUIRY. MR CONBOY'S APPLICATION REFUSED. WELLINGTON, October 18. " Mr Justice Denniston (chairman), Mr j Justice Edwards and Mr Justice Cooper j sat as a commission •'Jhis morning to en < quire* into the working of the Audit De pavement', and other matters. Proceed ings were merely formal. ORDFJR OF REFERENCE. The order of referenc c i was read 1 as follows: — (1) Whether a voucher for th c payment oif an account by cheque on .the Public Account, signed 'by the payee, could disappear without any record oi its existence or payment' being left in the Departmental books or record's. [ (2) Whether, in the years 1903,4, a i voucher was issued in favor of Captain Seddon for payment to .him. at. Christ church, out of rthe public account, of a sum of between £70 and £80, or any other sum for the reorganisation of De fence storesi, dr for any other service 1 . (3) Did Captain Seddon ever claim or receive any 6uch payment, or sign any such volcher. Full powers are; given, to the Commis sion as to 1 calling witnesses, and ordering the production of Departmental books and vouchers relating "to the subject mattJ'te of the enquiry. Pohver is given for interested persons to appear, or be represented before the ! Commission. I The Commission is urged to use all dili eence, and to report' no 1 ; later than Oct. 30th. 1905, or, on such extended' date as may hereafter be named. PROCEEDINGS OPENED. Mr Sheirett said he was instructed to appear on behalf of YJh c Departments affected, viz. Audit, Treasury, Post Office and Defence. Dr Findlay appealed for Captain Seddon. W. H Conboy applied lib be made a party to the enquiry on the grounds .tliat lie had a personal knowledge of the in efficiency of the Audit, and had suffered personally by it. The Commission de chned the? application. Mn Taylor asked how .the four suspend ed officials stood with respect to the en quiry. . Thd Commission, decided that at pre sent, witih the exception, of Willis, these gentlemen did no seiein to be narties. He cduldi appear personally or be represented j b y counsel. The others might b e requiT ' I ed as witneses. j There was a slight discussion as to expanses. The Commission said they could not go into' tth at,( t, just now. Usual ly the /party to <tihe case' had 1 to pay Us own expenses. Those summoned as wit nesstfe veTe entitled to reasonable ex penses. Mr Taylor, M.H.R, asked if lie conld appear himself Ho believed he could produce evidence to shW things could happen which the Audit; Department could no* possibly dfetect. The Comrnzs fiion pointed ou,tJ it' was open for him to appear as a witness. Mr Fisher, M.H.R, applied to be made a party This was agreed l to H© jflien asked if the Commission had full power to see) every document there was. The Commission said they could hardly go into -that' yet. The order of reference would speak for itself. Any party to proceedings bad a Tight; •to peruse it. The) .Comniis&io l n 'tliejn aidjourtied' ti>> Monday, when it is understood business will proceed a.', once. : Mr E. Gr. Jellicop, the well known I barrister who recently returned from ' TCnaland, has been re*-aine'l to appear bpfnrp tbe Audit Commission on be<» half of Mr Fisher M. H. R. Mr Willis, one of tho Fusppn^ed Christ.chtirch postal officials, will conduct his own case.