THE VOUCHER INCIDENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2688, 20 September 1905, Page 36

THE VOUCHER INCIDENT.

ANOTHER EXIIAiT-'TIVR INQUIRY TO BE HELD. .THREE JUDGES TO BE APPOINTED.

WELLINGTON, September 18. The Premier has handed the fallowing memorandum (o the press for publication: — "The inquiry to be held by > Sir James Prendorgast and Mr H. S. Wardell is the one piovided for in cases where* public servants have transgressed the Civil Service Acl and Regulations, and they havo to report whether or not the postal officers at Chi-'s( church transgressed the rales and regulations, and to make such recommendations in respect thereto as (hey consider the circumstances merit. Another and very serious matter has cropped up. One of the postal officials in. his defence practically alleged that tho audit system, if judged by what took place at the late investigation, is defective, and leaves it open for fraud to be perpetrated, and inferentially points to tho want of ! a complete check on the payment of public moneys, and Mr Fisher, M.H.K., in his letter to the Prime Minister, also demurs to the audit and its system and the investigations, and says that there is a possi« bility that the voucher alleged to be seen by the postal officers might still exist. To set the matter at rest once and for all, and more particularly as to whether our audit system and the checks iv, en xb • payment of public money are complete or otherwise, it was decided by tho Covcmrcrnfc early this evening to appoint throe judges to holrT an inquiry, the inquiry 10 be> . public and all parties to bo represented by council if they so desired, the inquiry to> take place as early as possible."' (From Ouk Owsr Coreespostdent.) In rcfpL'oncc to iiio decision ot the Government to set up a public inquiry into matters connected with the audit f-.ysi.em. the Premier informs me that the -personnel of the court (which is to consist of three judges) has not 3-et been decided upon, this being a matter for arrangement with the Chief Justice. NELSON. September 12. As the outcome c-f tho visit of she New Liberal party a petition is being locally . circulated for public signature addressed to the House of Representatives, stating that, as many elements of uncertainty exist in connection with the recent investigation by the Auditor-g-pnera.l in reference J o the voucher which - Messrs Larecmbo, West, • Willis, and Lundon swear they saw, handled, and discussed, these elements of uncertainty should be removed by the immediate appointment of a judicial tribunal, before which a full and unrestricted publio inquiry may be held, with power to call for persons, books, and papers, and to examine witnesses upon oath, the parties to aunear personally or by counsel. WELLINGTON, September 17. - The Government has appointed the Hon. Sir James Prendorgast. late Chief Justice of New Zealand, and Mr H. S. WardeH. late stipendiary majj-lstrat-e, to inquire into tho matter of the Christchurch postal officials now under suspension in connection with the recenr voucher incident. OIIRTSTOHUUCH, September 13. The departmental inquiry into the alleged! breaches of the post office regulations by Messrs Willis, Laroombc. West, and,. Lundon did noc commence to-day, and it it not known when it will begin. The officeis charged Lave not been informed, but they have filed thoir defence. Willis again points out that the inquiry will be of no benefit) trcm his point of view, as it will deal only with the allesfed breaches of regulation^ and net with the real question at issue. The inquiry will be held under the Civil Service- Act, which provides t-bat. if a civil, senant is accused of a breach of his duty, and he denies tbo accusation, the Go-wmor-in-Council may refer the matter bo a board, constituted by section 10 of the act, and the beard will have authority to hear witnesse-s and examine evidence, ant? embody in a. report to the Governor inCcuncil ts opinion. The act states that; ths board &!iall consist of first class officers of the civil service, which is taken to mean, heards of departments. Men have he-en taken to Ohristchurchi from Wellington and Dunedin to take the 23laces of those suspended. Mr B. M. liichfield. manager of the Bank or New Zealand at Chmtehureh, emphatically denies that any teller of the Bank of. New Zealand said lie had seen a cheque bearinsr on the voucher, and he says that he is ready to confront Willis with the" whole staff from the accountant to the mes=.enset% each one of whom will deny ever statinsf tq a prominent business man that such a cheque had been seen, or that any business man had ever asked for infoimatioij of th& kind.