THE AUDIT INQUIRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 29

THE AUDIT INQUIRY.

WELLINGTON,, November 6. The Audit Commission sat this morning to hear the result of the search for the alleged voucher or payment relating thereto. , Thomas Joseph Davis, clerk in the Treasury, gave evidence as to the production and checking of all cheques issued through the Christchurch Post Office as directed by the court. -Mr Willis said that all the cheques here were not checked. Witness, said that all were kept up to the .29th November. Mr Willis said they did not see a lot of them. Witness said he did not think this statement Correct. Mr Willis: Did I not find the chequesuseless for the purpose? Witness: All the cheques you wanted were turned up for you. Mr Skerrett: Mr Willis had an opportunity of checking all cheques between £40 and £100. Mr Willis: I had the opportunity, but it would have taken too long. Witness said the vouchers were checked by Mr West. Mr Willis said he came to the eonclu Jinn that Christchurch cheques, as a record, wera perfectly useless. Judge Dennistonj That is ridiculous. Judge Edwards : What does that mean ? Mr Willis: There is no record for tracing a cheque to any particular point. The Commissioners disagreed with this contention. Other clerks gave similar evidence to that of Davis. Mr Willis, in reply to the Bench, said the search was necessarily haphazard, owing to the shortness of time. To have gone through the books would have taken three months. He had three days. Judge Denniston: We will make our report in due course. The Commission then adjourned.

An old resident of Campbell's Creek (Victoria), John Glover, ' who though possessed of considerable m-eaus has for several years been living by himself in a hut on Ranters' Gully, has been found dead at his 'residence. He had been unw«ll for a few days, but refused to hare medical attendanoe. It is known that the deceased was possessed of some £4000, and some time ago he made a will, which was dujy witnessed, leaving over £1000 to the- Castlemaiiie Hospital, and a large sum to the Benevolent Asylum, but so far the will has not been found. The deceased's only surviving relatives are two grandsons, whose whereabouts at present are unknown*