MR. GRANTS TRAVELLING EXPENSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9268, 2 August 1893, Page 6

MR. GRANTS TRAVELLING EXPENSES.

At the meeting of the Hoard of Education yesterday the following questions were asked by Mr. H. Wilding :—l. Does Mr. ('.rant reside with his family in Auckland ? 2. Does he draw £2 15s for expenses consequent on attending each meeting of the Board? 3. If so, how is the amount made up? Mr. Wilding said he did not think it necessary to enlarge on the subject. He asked these questions in the plainest language, and he hoped he would have a plain answer.

Mr. Grant in answer said he charged reasonable expenses as allowed by the Education Act. In fixing the amount he went by what was allowed to witnesses attending the Supreme Court. That amount was Is a mile. He considered it was not too much, as lie had to travel over eight miles, and across a tidal river. In order to suit the time of the steamer he was pur, to great inconvenience. At. times he had to travel a distance of thirty miles by road before reaching the steamer owing to the roads being impassable. Hi further stated that he resiled at To Arai, and did not come to town unless to attend a meeting of the Board. The statements that the return fare was 12s 6 1, and that he had charged expenses for all but two meetings were incorrect.

Mr. Muik said tint Mr. Grant's explanation might bo satisfactory if they could locate his residence. Ho had no personal animosity again.-1 Mr. rant. At the time of the last general election Mr. Grant gave hi* address as Newmarket. Mr. GRANT replied that it was since that time that lie had taken up fanning operations at Te Arai.

Mr. WiLDixi; said ho did not consider Mr. Grant's answers as straight an his questions. lie did not consider thorn properly answered. Ho though!) that each member of the Board should give the items of their expenses. He had, whenever lie travelled, done so. If Mr. Grant had to go out of his way to reach the steamer he thought that particulars should be given. Mr. Grant said it was an unusual thing for a member of the Board to give his travelling expenses. The mutter then dropped.