TAG FROM AUDITOR

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 54, Issue 32623, 19 September 1945, Page 6

TAG FROM AUDITOR

COUNTY BALANCE SHEET QUESTION OF CONTRACT decision of councillors Considerable discussion arose when the balance sheet for the year ended March 31, 1944, was presented' to the September meeting of the Coromandel County Council. The clerk, Mr J. H. Lucas, reported that the Auditor-General had certified to the accounts with the following exception :—

'“The interest of a member in a contract entered into by the council dis qualified him in terms of Section 3, Local Authorities (Members’ Contracts) Act, 1934, as a member of the council.

“The audit office has delayed' sending this balance sheet back for some time, having been corresponding with Mr J. G. Strongman regarding the McKenzie Sawmilling Co.

“The Audit Office now in a letter dated August 20, regarding this matter stated:—

“ Following a communication to this office from Mr Strongman’s solicitors, they were advised that this office is of opinion that the sum of £213 15s 8d was unlawfully paid by the council and that in such circumstances this office is required to take steps to recover the sum to the council’s account.

“ ‘The solicitors were also advised that unless refund is made on or before the 31st. instant it is proposed to surcharge members of the council when the payments were made, with the sum in question.’ ”

After several attempts to get the balance sheet adopted, all of which ended in further discussions and suggestions, it was finally proposed by the chairman, Mr E. Deeble, iseconded by Cr. Hamilton, “That the statement of accounts for the year ended March 31, 1944, as received back from the Auditor-General be now signed, settled and published in accordance with law.” This was amended by resolution of Cr. Simpson, seconded by Cr. A. J. Denize, “That the present members of the old council respectfully wish to inform the Auditor-General that they were not aware at the time that a member was interested in a contract.” This was put as one resolution and carried.

’Cr. Bull interjected several times during the discussion and said his ■opinion was that they as councillors had done wrong, according to the auditor’s tag on the balance sheet and he saw nothing for it but to take the consequences.