THE VOUCHER SQUABBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1534, 16 August 1905, Page 2

THE VOUCHER SQUABBLE.

PETITION FROM POST OFFICE OFFICIALS. CAPTAIN SEDDON’S DENIAL. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night. On the Housu meeting at 2.80 this afternoon Mr Fisher asked leave to present a petition from Messrs Laroombe, West, and Willis, Christchuroh post effioe officials, who asked that the enquiry now being conduoted by the Auditor-General into the Fisher charges be open to the Press, and that the witnesses should be crossexamined by Mr Fisher. Mr Seddon objected that the petition was not in order, put the Speaker ruled it was, and it was received. The Premier then presented a petition from Captain Seddon, who forwarded a statutory declaration that he had not received a sum of between £7O and £BO for reorganisation of the defence stores as alleged. The petition was received, but the statutory declaration was not attached. I The House adjourned at 4.15 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Mr Taiaroa. ARE BOTH SIDES IN THE RIGHT ? iw-g. a j A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION. (Pen Pjtess Association.) Christchurch, last night. I In explanation of the conflict of the testimony between the treasury offioials and Ohristchurch post-office clerks as to I the alleged Captain Seddon voucher it is I suggested locally that a voucher might] have been made out here, bnt the payment I refused by the Audit Department, in which I case both sides wonld be in the right.

CAPTAIN SEDDON’S DECLARATION

GIVES THE LIE DIREOT.

•(Pen Press ’Association.) Wellington, last night. .Captain R. J. S. Seddon’s statutory declaration is bb follows (1) During the whole of my employment . in the publio Bervice of New Zealand I have never received from the Imperial or New Zealand Government any payment whatever in Christchurch, (2) I have never performed any services in or about re-organising defence stores. (3) I have nover reoeived in Christchurch I or elsewhere any payment of between £7O and £BO, or any othor sum, for reorganising defence stores cither from the Imperial or New Zealand Government. (4) I have read the statement read by Mr Fisher, M.H.R., with respect to a voucher for‘a payment to mo of between I £7O and £BO, and I say that I never saw or received or signed any suoh voucher, I or reoeived any such payment. (5) I have never at any time, or at any I place, reoeived any sum or sums of money whatever from the New Zealand or Imperial Governments to whioh I was not legally and properly entitled I under the terms of my engagement as a servant or officer of cither of tho eaid Governments. I I

ITORY OF THE CIVIL SERVANTS

(Pec Press Association.) Wellington, last night. Tho affidavits of Messrs Laroombe, Willis, and Weßt, Christchurch post office offioials, have also been made public. Mr Laroombe swears that during 1904 there passed through his hands a voucher for a sum exceeding £7O, made out in favor of R. J. S. Seddon for tho re-organi-sation of defence stores, Wellington. Messrs Willis and West also swear that they saw this voucher.