A "MEMORANDUMMIAD" EPISODE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10407, 3 April 1897, Page 1

A "MEMORANDUMMIAD" EPISODE.

PERILS OP A LICENSING ELECTION. Tub unwonted delay in tho settlement of the election expenses in connection with the recent licensing poll for the flection of the City Licensing Committee is the subject of much comment. A lengthy correspondence has passed betweon His Worship the Mayor, Town Clerk, and Returning Officer on the matter. Mr. King statcil that the total expense would not bo more than £110, so that due financial provision could have been made, whereas the deputies, poll olurks, ami messengers are still waiting .'or what is due to them. As the matter now stands, it u gradually approaching what may be termed a public scandal. According to tho correspondence the Returning Officer (Mr. Kin«) writes on the 4th February to tile Mayor asking for an interview re the licensing election expenses, and staling that a mutual understanding will greatly help his details and arrangement, The Mayor promptly replied, fixing the 6th for the interview when thoy met. Hie Worship discussed details, approved of them, told the Returning Ollicer to go on, and asked if he required a cheque then, but that olhcer said lie would not need it till the end of tho month. On the Bth March the Returning Ollicer asked the Mayor for a cheque for about £35, in accordance with die arrangement made, which would be duly accounted for by vouchera. As no acknowledgment was received up to the 16th March, and eight candidates had been nominated, Mr. King again wrote to the Mayor. On the 17th the Town Clerk replied expressing his surprise that the Returning Ollicer had not observed that the Mayor was co>, lined to his house from illness, and stated that he expected Mr. King would call upon him on the subject. The Returning Ollicer, for reasons stated, declines to call upon the Town Clerk at that stage, and desires to be informed whether "the distinct arrangement made with tho Mayor is to he respected?" The Town Clerk replies that had Mr. King culled on him "matters would have been facilitated." He would present the application next week to tile Finance Committee for payment. Mr. King, on March 19, writes to tho Town Clerk, stating that writing in the strain adopted towards him (the Returning Officer) "did not impress him with tjie civility and courtesy which should subsist between tho municipal body and an important department of tho public service." The Town Clerk severely replies that if there is any want of courtesy it ia on Mr. King's part. Mr, King, on March 20, states that he i.s only waiting till the election is over to again bring tho matter under tho notice of tho Mayor, and intimates that " the whole correspondence will be forwarded to tho Undersecretary ot 'the colony. Meantime,believe mo, yours obiulioutlv, the R. 0." On the eve of the election Mr. Kim; wrote to the Mayor, complaining that notwithstanding they had mutually fixed up things, "ho was still without film's. It seemed strange that a statutory officer cannot obtain £35 by way of imprest." He had refrained from calling on the Town Clerk " as a matter of loyalty to the Mayor. Was grieved to bother him, but it seemed unavoidable," He concludes with, "hope you are improving, kind (inquiries, good wishes." On March 24 (polling day) the Town Clerk writes, and asks Mr, King if £75 would do, and he replied £5(1 would do now ; but after the Town Clerk's " peculiar way of speaking" ho believed £100 would meet all expenses of the licensing election, but as he iad no imprest it would, he thought, be best to have that sum. The Town Clerk, on the 26th March, explains why there can be no imprest given—no quorum of the Finance Committee, but a fresh meeting would be called. Air. King waited daily till the 29th March. Still no cheque, although several times applied for. On 30th March Mr. George Keven, Mr. King's clerk, comes on scene, aud the Town Clerk intimates to him that Mr. Treuwith would not sign a cheque, but would wait and bring up tho accounts before the Finance Committee. The Town Clerk intimates to Mr. Keven that tho Finance Committee would most likely wish to seo vouchers or accounts as per list forwarded. We now drift into April. On the 2nd instant Mr. King complains that " tho persons employed are calling on him day after day, while hie assistant and himself are obliged to remain at Drill-shed awaiting the convenience of the local body. Such treatment is not in unison with that which should be shown to a statutory official." After being kept waiting many days, and " having to put applicants continually off," the Returning Officer was further requested to send the vouchers and accounts, so that if necessary they could be gone through by the Finance Committee. The committee, on examination of vouchers, was authorised to pay up to £75, but so far the Rcturniug Officer has beon "putting applicants continually off."