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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9154, 8 September 1888, Page 5

As I find that a wrong impression has been created in certain quarters by my criticisms on the balance-sheets of the Otamatea County Council, I will, with your permission, say a few words on the subject. The errors which appeared on the face of the accounts to exist tor instance, in the first half-year's_ state, ment office expenses were £3 Jos. in the second half - year s statement they were £3 5s 6d, while in the balance-sheet for the whole year they were stated at £4 17s instead of £7 Os 6d —were simple errors of addition, rendered remarkable chiefly from the statement at the foot of the accounts to the effect that they had been examined and found correct by the Auditor-General himself. By the publication of my remarks an opportunity was given Mr. Hemphill, the clerk, of explaining the seeming discrepancies — discrepancies which must have struck any of the ratepayers who examined with any care the published statements; and had he elected to do so, I am quite sure your columns would have been open to him. I certainly had no desire to say anything inimical to his interests. Mr. Hemphill is universally respected in the county as a thoroughly lion ourable, conscientious man, and I consider the councillors _ are very fortunate in having secured his services, which I, for one, sincerely hope they will retain so long as the Otamatea County Council continues to exist. At the same time I consider that as a ratepayer and your correspondent I was perfectly justified in making the remarks I did concerning the accounts. No one, with any degree of truth, can accuse me of bavin*; ever endeavoured to advance my own interests through the medium of your paper, but if the published balancesheets oi the county are not to be criticised, it would be better not to publish them at, all,—[Matakohe Correspondent.]