HOSPITAL ACCOUNTS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3169, 25 August 1881, Page 2

HOSPITAL ACCOUNTS.

[To the Editor'of the Daily Telegram.] y IB A wink is as good as a nod to a blind horse," and your correspondent " Verax" was evidently too blind to see or understand the Herald's gentle hint, but must again rush into print and publish to the world bis ignorance of the subject upon which he has been writing. He tries to make out that, because the auditors have signed the cash-book, it is doubtful if

they have correctly audited the accounts. It is the general practice for auditors to sign the cash-book, the balance-sheet which they also sign being only a condensed extract of the items in the casbbook. If "Verax" will call upon the secretaries of the Harbor Board, Education Board, or County Council, those gentlemen would probably show him their cash-books regularly signed by the different auditors. He again shows his ignorance by referring to the dates at which the auditors were appointed, and ia evidently not aware that public bodies" generally appoint or elect auditors for twelve months, not every month. At the first meeting in each year the new Hospital Committee appoint their auditors, who act for twelve months; those appointed in January, 1880, audited'the accounts to 31st December ia that year, and those appointed last February audit the various quarterly accounts for this year. Perhaps " Verax " is not aware that two quarters of this year have passed. Does he want me to go back into 1879 and 1878. Accounts are generally audited with the object of examining their correctness, not necessarily for publication. It is very easy for anonymous writers like "Verax" to find fault and say this is a disgrace and that is a public scandal, but so far " Verax " has absolutely failed to prove that the affairs of the Hospital have been, misconducted by the Committee. The fact that the accounts have not been published does not do so ; their publication could not correct matters, but would only supply information, which ''verax , ' would probably not understand. lam glad he intends taking steps to thoroughly sift the business, and hope he will give us some correct information when he has finished the sifting process. In reply to "Enquirer," I would merely mention that the Hospital Committee meetings are attended by the press reporters, \cho publish an account of the proceedings, so that no attempt is made to keep matters in the shade. As to the other subjects mentioned, I will leave the late secretary to reply to them if he thinks fit, although, some of his remarks would have been more to the point if written fifteen months ago.—l am, &c, C. B. WINTEB. August 24, 1881.