Kaiapoi's Sham Audits.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4562, 7 December 1882, Page 4

Kaiapoi's Sham Audits.

At tho meeting of tho Kaiapoi Borough Council, Councillor Fraser read a Hot of the unpaid rates in the Borough, whioh amounted to £329 Os 6d. Great amusement arose out of this as nearly every Councillor present was included in tho list, and the fun culminated when tho Chairman of the Finance Committeo (icmewbat hesitatingly it must be admitted) read out his own namo aa owing £4 15s. Councillor Champion a»ked why this item of rates hid not beon ehown on the balance-sheet. Ho had on a previous occasion objected to tbe balance-sheet, as ho was not satisfied about tho rate book, and tho explanation ho had received was not entirely satisfactory, consequently he had mado it his business to see tho auditors, and his assumption he found to be perfoctly correct. Tho rate books, he found had not been in thoir possession for four years. They had then mado a suggestion to tho Oounoil to have the rate books produoed at the audit, but it had not been acted upon. Ho blamed tho auditors for putting their name to tho balance-shook wben thoy knew they had not audited tho books. Ho would move that the books be reaudited. The Mayor wished to know if Councillor Champion moved for a special audit under Section 135 of the Aot. Councillor Champion did not move for a apeoial audit, but for the books to bo handed back to tho auditors, so that they should complete their work, The Town Clerk said the books were all before the auditors at each audit, and if tbey did not examine them, it was thoir fault. He should bo very glad to have them re-audited. Councillor Champion said a good deal had been said for somo time as to the laxity of the auditors, and the faot of an item of £329 boing cast out of the balance sheet, Bhowed their incapacity, and pointed to the work being very carelessly done. If the Council put up with that sort of thing he could not, and he should tako oare that the ratepayers knew how their work was done. Councillor Pinching seoonded the motion, saying that he had Boon Mr Hewlings, who stated ho had never seen tho rate books, and that they had sent a recommendation to the Council that thoy should bo produced, but as there had been no notice taken of this, they had considered that the Council did not care much about it. Ho supported the re-audit, as it was only fair to the Clerk, after what had been said about tho books, that such should take place. Councillor Moore thought it was high time that they had fresh auditors. He, for ono, should try to have a change next year. In tho auditing, one or two of the Councillors should sit with them to help them. Councillor Feldwiok ould )liko to see the letter from the auditors. Councillor Parnham had never heard of tho letter, muoh less seen it. He looked upon the wholo thing as a slur on the Council, and hoped in justice to the Clerk and ovcryone, that a re-audit would bo made. Councillor Fraßer thought Councillor Champion was too late in raising bis objection. He should have objected to the balance-sheet at the proper time, not after it had been audited and signed by the Mayor as oorrect, Councillor Mathews had no confidence whatevor in tho auditors, and would like to see some froth men in office. Councillor Woodford would like to have tho books audited by Mr Ollivier. The Mayor said he should like to retire from offloe with this matter cleared up. It was perfootly disgraceful that two men should bring up a statement that misled the publio and the Council. Ths auditors were elected by the burgossos as a oheck upon the Council, and to see that they did not incur any illegal expense. Their duty would be to append a memo to the aocount if they were not satisfled with anything, or did not see all tho books, but to wilfully overlook some of the books. was very disgraooful. He would suggest that two of the Councillors should sit with them when they did tho work. Councillor Ohampion in reply said that, but for so glaring an irregularity whioh had been practised for several years ho Bhould not have brought it up, but one of the auditors mado a statement by whioh he condemned himself. Councillor Woodford moved, as an amendment, that tho Government auditor be requested to examine the books. The amendment was not seconded. On the motion being put it was carried, Councillor Woodford alone dissenting, and it was decided that Councillor Ohampion and the Mayer act with the* auditors.