THE ALLEGED VOUCHER. WELLINGTON, August 16.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 34

THE ALLEGED VOUCHER. WELLINGTON, August 16.

With reference to the Press Association message from Christchurch appearing in this morning's papers relating to the possibility of the alleged Seddon voucher having •been ma.de out in Christchurch and afterwards refused by th© Audit Department, it is officially pointed out that such a contention is absurd, and from the course followed in respect to voxichers i-s absolutely impossible, and for the following reasons : — (1) The Undersecretary for Defence would have to create the voucher and certify to the service performed; Before the alleged voucher could reach the Christchurch office at all it would first have to go to the head Post Office, Wellington, and also to be-cer-tified -to by the Defence Department in Wellington ; (3) It would then have to pass audit — if refused it would not leave Wellington ; (4) If sent on to Ohristchurch that would prove it had passed audit, and had gone on to th© Treasury in Wellington before being sent to the Christchurch Post Office." The official statement goes on to say: — "Further, when Captain Seddon states in his declaration that he never performed any such service, surety that is sufficient to show that he never in any way claimed on account of such services, seeing it would be a claim 'from him upon which the voucher would be formed. Anyone having any knowledge of the working of the -civil service must know that the only way a vouober could be sent to the ChristohuTch Post Office would be from a particular department, the case in point being the Sneddon voucher from th© Railway Department. Technically, and in civil service parlance, a document is not a voucher until it is paid."

The three Christchurch post officials whose affidavits were published yesterday, are to give evidence at the inquiry now being held by the Auditor-general in connection with the " Seddon voucher" obarges. 'It is understood that in addition -to these witnesses Mr Fisher has several other witnesses, who will tender important evidence in the matter. The Auditor-general's report is not expected to make its appearance before the end of next week. # (Fboic, Oitb Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 17. The three Christchurch civil servants, whose affidavits have been published, are to give evidence afc the inquiry being held by , the Auditor-general into the alleged Seddon I voucher. It is understood that, in addition to these gentlemen, Mr Fisher has several 1 other wit-nesses who will give important , evidence. The Auditor-general's ->:-port is not expected to be received till about the end of next week. CHRISTOHUROH. August 17. Messrs Willis, Larcombe, anil West, three post office officials here, left for Wellington to-night to give evidence at inquiry being held by the Auditor-general in regard to the voucher allegations. The following is tlie declaration which is signed by officers in the postal service :—*"l,: — *"I, A.8.. do solemnly and sincerely declare that I will be true and faithful in the execution of the trust committed to my charge, and that I will not willingly or knowingly open, detain, return, or -delay, or cause or suffer to be opened detained, returned or delayed, any postal packet which comes into my hands, power, or custody, by reason of my employment in the postal service, except with the consent of the person to whom such postal packet is directed, or in such rases as arc or may be provided for by the Pest Office Acts, or by any tulps cc t \ regulations to be made in pursuance thereof. And I do further declare that I will not intentionally read the contents of any postal packet which I may lawfully open, except so far se. may be necessary for the purpose of ascertaining the name and address of the writer or &endt» - , or for any other lawful purpose ; and that I will not divulge to any person whatever, except £o far as law- : fully required, any o f tho contents of any such i)osta'l packet which may come to ray knowledge in course of opening and examining the sai»e for any sut\h purpose as aforesaid, or any information which nr.y come to j my knowledge with reaped to the business of" tho Port Office Savings Bank. And I make this solemn declaration undor the provisions of 'The Post Office Act. 1900.""