THE VOUCHER INCIDENT.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIX, Issue 2978, 11 September 1905, Page 2

THE VOUCHER INCIDENT.

OFFICIALS SUSPENDED. (BY TKLtGRArn—PRESS ASSOCIATION) Christchurch, This Day. On Saturday morning Messrs Willis, Larcombo, West and London, the lour Christchurch post-office officials who figured prominently in the vouchor case, were formally suspended by the Chief i ostmastor until further notice. At the same time the following letter was handed to Mr Willis from Mr Gray, Secretary of the Post aud Telegraph Department“ Pursuantto the provisions of section2Gof the Ci vi I Ser vice Ac t, 18GG, you are hereby charged with a broach of duty in that, contrary to that regulation, you, about July, 190s, at Christchurch, at the request of Mr Fisher, M.H.R., searched the records of Treasury vouchers in the Christchurch post-office, and from that record gave him the number and amount of voucher No. 15819 for X7G 4s 9d; also, that about July, 1005, at Christchurch, you informed Mr Fisher that a voucher for an amount exceeding X7O had passed through the post office at Christchurch, payable to R. J. S. Seddon for organising defence stores; also, that about the 4th August, 1905, at Christchurch, you made to Mr Fisher au affidavit that some time during 1904 you as clerk employed in the Christchurch office saw a voucher for an amount exceeding X7O made out in favour of R. J. 8. See don tor reorganising defence stores at Wellington; also, that about the same date you made a duplicate original of the said affidavit and gave it to Mr Taylor, M.H. K. You are also charged with a farther breach of duty in sending conjointly with Messrs Larcombe, West and Limdon about August, 1905, the following telegram to Mr Taylor:— ‘ We are confident that au unrestricted public inquiry will establish the charge. Hope you will press your motion.’ You are required to deliver to the Chief Postmaster, Christchurch, any written defence you desire to make before the 13th inst.” Similar letters were received by Messrs West, Larcombo and London.