THE VOUGHER HUBBUB.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1532, 14 August 1905, Page 2

THE VOUGHER HUBBUB.

ENQUIBY TO COMMENCE TO-DAY

Per Press Association. Wellington, Saturday. The inquiry which the Auditor General is to hold into the allegations made by, Mr Fisher, M.H.8., regarding a certain payment said to have been made to Captain Seddon, will be opened on Monday. The inquiry will be held with olosed doors, and no information concerning the nature of the evidence will be officially communicated to the press during the progress of the inquiry. The civil servants who signed the affidavits for Mr Fisher are now, Mr Fisher states, prepared to give evidence on oath, indemnity or no indemnity.

During tho discussion on the Estimates Mr Taylor protested against a large number of items, amounting to £4OO, being grouped without any particulars under the head of " contingencies.” He said that members should not have to draw out the information piecemeal, They should have access to the vouchers. If, he said, they hud had access to a particular voucher, a great deal of time and trouble would have been saved. He would not, however, deal with that matter now, as it was sub judice. He understood <that in Canada members had access to the vouchers, and the Government might consider the question of introducing that system into tbie colony. Mr Seddon said that one voucher had been lost some time ago, and it had been discovered in the possession of a certain member. Hon. Members: "Oh 2 Oh!” Mr Seddon: Yes, it was taken out of i the buildings. Mr Hawkins: How long ago ? Mr Seddon: Hot very long ago. He did not know the partionlars of the Canadian system, but he thought there must be some Btringent conditions attaohed to it. If members hid reoourse to vouoherß it might lead to a lot of trouble, unless proper safe- I guards were provided. I