DEPOSIT WITH COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20619, 18 July 1930, Page 12

DEPOSIT WITH COUNCIL.

ATTACK MADE BY MEMBER. DEPUTY-MAYOR VINDICATED. INDIGNATION OF COLLEAGUES. Thn action o Mr. J. R. Lundon -n making allegations against tho deputymayor, Mr. A. J. Entrican, and the city treasurer, Mr. A. Messer, regarding tho depositing with (ho council by Mr. Entrican of £SOO at call on December 24 last was very strongly condemned by several councillors at {ho meeting of tho council last evening. Tho city treasurer reported that the money had been deposited following an inquiry by Mr. Entrican whether the council was accepting any money at call, as ho had £SOO belonging to tho St. James' Presbyterian Church trustees which ho wished to place. Hie money was banked on December 24. Iho reason for taking money at call on that date was that, owing to tho falling duo of certain debentures and interest payments on January 1, tho district fund account would bo in debit from December 31 to January 8, inclusive. The receipt was made out to '-A. J. Entrican. On noticing this he subsequently had alterations made on the receipt and in tho books to show that Mr. Entrican had been acting for tho Presbyterian Church Trust. Mr. London described investigations ho had made regarding the alterations in the books. Tho council granted him an extension of timo in order that he should be able to complete his speech. Mr. Grey Campbell said that, in consequence of Mr. Lundon's remarks at the previous meeting, be and Mr. G. W. Hutchison had investigated the matter. They had obtained proof that the money belonged to tho St. James' Church trust funds, having fallen due under a mortgage, and that it had been paid in tho form of a cliequo of '£475 from tho solicitors to the trust and £25 in cash. They had seen tho bank deposit slip, which was stamped December 24. Mr. Entrican could easily establish tho fact that it was trust money which ho deposited. Mr. Campbell said it was a shamo and a scandal that Mr. Lundon should make the assertions ho had on wrong facis. Miss E. Melville said it was absolutely intolerable that councillors should havo to listen to the sort of thing which they had had from Mr. Lundon that evening. Tho provision of the Municipal Corporations Act relating to contracts between a councillor and his council did not apply to loan moneys. Tt would not have mattered if tho money had been Mr. Entrican's. She had frequently, on behalf of clients, deposited money at call with tho council. The point which Mr. Lundon had raised would not disturb her or any person with a knowledge of the Municipal Corporations Act. Mr. 11. P. Burton asked why, if Mr. Lundon and Mr. W. H. Murray, who was associated with him in his investigations, thought there was anything irregular in the transaction, they had not gone to Mr. Entrican for an explanation. He said that "Mr. Lundon had made an unwarranted attack, full, of suggestion and innuendo. The thanks of the council were due to Mr. Campbell and Mr. Hutchison for investigating the matter atir] giving it publicity, lie hoped that such an incident would not occur again, as it, lowered the dignity of the council. The steps taken on this occasion had vindicated a reputable citizen and councillor.