ANOTHER PUBLIC SCANDAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9124, 3 July 1891, Page 2

ANOTHER PUBLIC SCANDAL.

MR GOLDIE AND HIS: CONTRACT. The return asked for by Mr Shera, showing the lemarks of the Audit Inspector, Mr C. OH- Smith, regarding tho accounts of certain public bodies in Auckland, with other correspondence, was laid on the table of the House this afternoon.

The correspondence opens with a letter addressed, to Mr J. E. Fitzgerald, Con T trailer and Auditor General, by Mr Smith, as follows :—": — " I desire to bring under your notice some facts connected with tho supply of timber to the Auckland Harbour Board, which have come under ray notico when examining the accounts for 1891."

1. Mr David Goldie, a timber merchant, is a member of tlio Board.

2. Mr R. A. Player is a contractor for the supply of timber.

8. Mr James Goldio is a clerk iv Mr D. Goldie's employ.

4. Mr R, A. Player is a clerk in Mr , David Goldie'a employ. 5. During the year the following sums 1 have been paid for timber by the Board : " — Jiis. Goldie, £15 4s 8d ; David Goldie, ' £14 11s 8d ; R. A. Player, £122 4s 8d : , total, £152 Is. i 6. Bill-heads attached to each voucher , giving prices of measurements, etc.,.! are j printed David Goldie. \ > 7. The printed word " David "is scored out, and the name "James" inserted in ink when James Goldie is nominally the claimant. ; 8. The printed words "David Goldie" fare scored out, and '• R. A. Player" inserted in ink when R. A. Player is (nominally) claimant. 9. All the moneys are signed for by C. |A. Goldie, the authorised agent apparently !of Mr James Goldio, Mr David Goldie, and Mr Player.

, 10. The accounts rendered by each of i the abovenamod gentlemen are nearly all iv the same handwriting. ' • The secretary of the Board liadnn objecition to allowing the vouchers leaving his ioflice, and they aro too voluminous to copy, 'but attached you will find a schedule giving,, isome further information in regard to e'aoh] 'of them. There appears to be no doubt' ;(and certainly there is none in my mind) ibut that the real contractor is Mr DavidjGoldioj the member of the Board, and that the names of James Goldio and R. An Player are bnfc a- disguise tt evade any penalties the law may provide in'ftucn' l cases. — C. O'Hara Smith, Aiiditf Inspector, Auckland. 23rd January,lß9l." Then follows a ' schedule of payments jmade' on account of timb6r by tljo Auckland Harbour Board during the year 1896! The total amount is £152 lsi The-pay-ments aro in favour mostly of R., A, Player and also in favour" of David "and 1 James Goldie. v •' " ' • • " ■ 1 • '