WAIT A WHILE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 14, 12 June 1912, Page 2

WAIT A WHILE.

Town Board Accounts May be ready next week. " I live in the land of Wait-a-While, Where the soft Go-easys grow." That a keen public interest is taken in borough affairs was shown on Wednesday evening last, when there was another large attendance of ratepayers. The absence of the Town Board accounts, and the inability of the Council to get a statement of them, appeared to be the principal subject for comment. At a previous meeting the Mayor remarked that he would be surprised if the accounts were ready at the last meeting. His Worship escapod the shock of surprise; the statement was still unprepared, "I have not been able to touch them all the week," said the Clerk, " I have been too busy." Continuing, he said that a lot of his t : me had been taken up by being interviewed by applicants for the Town Clerkship. Cr. Pollnck: My patience is nearly exhausted. It is nearly time the Clerk had the accounts ready. He has promised them every week 3inca the Council came into office. If he can't do them I thiuk we should appoint someoue else. Cr. Lawrie said that perhaps on this occasion they should not be too hard as no doubt the Clerk had beun hindered by applicants. But he moved—" That we expect the accounts this day week (June 12) for certain." Cr. Johns seconded. . Cr. Pollock moved, as an amendment, That we get someone to a assist the Clerk. He was afraid that the accounts would not be ready again next week. Cr. Berriman suggested, as they were about to appoint another Clerk, that his first job should be to relieve Mr Patterson of the work and bring up this balance sheet. The Council should request His Worship to personally assist. The Mayor said they could not ask the new Clerk to go back and cover previous work. At the last meeting he hinted that there were means of compelling those responsible to render a statement. He had intended to move—''That Mr Patterson be given a week to get these accounts ready, and if that were not done that the position of the Town Board be referred to a solicitor." However, Cr. La wrie's motion forestalled him. He might say that he had at his own expense taken a solicitor's advice on the matter and found that the position of the late Town Board and of the Clerk was uot an enviable one. Cr. Hamilton asked if the Clerk could have, the accotints ready next week. The Clerk: Yes; provided I am relieved of all the routine work. The Mayor taid they had better make the time a fortnight and they should then take action if the accounts w< re not ready. Cr. Lawrie asked if, inordinary bookkeeping, they should not be able to refer instantly to the books and ascertain the state of any account. Things must have been terribly lax and it appeared now that a lot of back work had to be written up. Another fortnight's time was granted (making it six weeks from the time of the Council's first meeting) in which to find out how the accounts stand.