The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1883. DEFALCATORS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 47, 19 January 1883, Page 2

The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1883. DEFALCATORS.

From many part of the Colony come news of defalcations by the cashiers of various local bodies. Pcamely a day passes but the wire brings word ot another similar peculation, ranging from thousands of pounds to the proceeds of a paltry dog tax. The Marlborougb Tim<?B affirms, and we cannot do otherwise than endorse his view of tbe matter, that clerks and secretaries of local bodies are allowed tar too much latitude m the conduct of public business and m tbe manipulation of the ratepayers' money, and tbe easily apparent outcome of it is that they ben come impressed with the idea that they can do as they like, and m too many instances rule the local bodies instead of the local bodies ruling them. The only cure for tbis state of things is a better system of auditing and more supervision by the head of the Board cr Council. As a rule, auditors are either paid very small fees or receive no pay whatever, with the rfesult that they readily accept whatever explanations are offered by the clerk. In many instances, moreover, these audito s are his own personal friends, who of course feel a delicacy m demanding the information which their office requires of them, and thus irregularities are all ower^ to creep m and abuses arise. The clearest way out of the difficulty would be for the Government to appoint a public auditor or auditors for each province, whose duty it would be to instantly report to the body concerned, any — well, say eccentricity — m the accounts which might strike him. We would go even further, »nd suggest that whenever laxity m money matters phows itself, an investigation should take place inatanter. Clerks, collectors, and sub-treasurers do not learn all at once to embezzle. The process is a gradual one. Perhaps, a mistake remains undiscovered, and emboldened by the ' apparent lack of sharpness on the part of the auditors, one sum aftqr another is appropriated, till the cash and the books present an inextricable muddle and hopeless confusion. The remedy must be increased vigilance. .A.man who muddles his private affairs, orother matters of business, can scarcely be expected to discharge his public duties with accuracy, Ultimately) there mußtbe manifest a stronger sense of responsibility on the part of those w.ho handle public money, and those whose duty it is to see that it is not misappropriated.