COUNTY FINANCES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1837, 18 August 1906, Page 3

COUNTY FINANCES.

THE AUDITOR’S LITTLE TAGS, On tbe annual statement of accounts being presented at the meeting of the Cook County Council yesterday, tbe County Clerk montionod that several common's ontbo balance-sheet had been made by the Auditor. Mr Warren road this note, whioh was as follows :

" Examined and found correot except as follows: 1, Separate accounts numbered 4,5, 6,10,11,12,13, 14 15, 10, and 11 are charged to an amount exceeding that of the monoy provided for them. 2. Loan account numbered 8 is charged with moro than the amount of tbe loan raised. 8, Portions of Government grants for Tologo bridge and Mangamaia road have unlawfully been used for ctber purposes than th’ose for whioh the moneys were granted 4, Speoial ra'es to secure Laos raised over portions of the district have unlawfully teen used on purposes other than those f jt whioh they woro raised, v’z., the payment of interest on loans.—J. K. WARBOBTON, 0. and A. General.” Referring to the statements in their order, the County Clerk eiplaincd in regard to No- I. : 11 Tho Counoil is obliged to advance from the general oocount to pay contractors before the Rood Depaitraent passes the work, and repays the amount so advanced. Consequently that account is always in debt. Wo would want jG2OOO of a floating capital to carry on grants expended by Government if we Were to fulfil that condition. It is a

requirement cf tho Roads Doputmont whioh wo are told is unlawful." In regard to tho second point raised, tho Clerk explained that £25 Lai boon advanoed for surveys in respect of a lean that tho Government had granted for Waihuka Valley (£2500). In regard to tho third poiut raised, tho olerk stated that grants for Tnlago Bay bridge and Mangauiaia road woto undo to supplement loans for largo amounts, and thoro romainod in tho county fund at tho

close of tho yoar 1.106, but ns tho general account was overdrawn it could not be said that thoy had usod those moneys to repines their overdraft. " Booauss wo have a balanoo unexpended,” raid tho

c'ork with a smile, "that too is unlawful." (Laughter.) R gardiug tho last of tho sories of complaint--, a laugh was rail el when it was exfl rlncd that the amount involved was 10s If. 11 Tho same objection," said the clerk, “ applied to this ns to tho accounts in credit, but tho original offence in connection with the mimso of tproial in’.os is in regard lo 10s 4d which was paid in respect of a loan, for which that amount in speoial rates had not boon collcotsd in I duo time.’’ Cr Matthews, humorously, suggestod that councillors put a shilling iu— — Cr Konway : And tho ohairman pay np I tho balance. (Liughtcr) I " 0, dear no,” said the Chairman, 11 if tho other is unlawful,your proposal would bo absolutely criminal.”

Tho Cba’rman thou formally proposed

"That this settlement of accounts ns passed by tho auditor on tho ‘2oth July bo settled as the accounts of tho Council for tho past year.” Cr Matthews: Does that condone tho unlawful acts ? (Laughter.)

"Wo will have to cor aider 1-itor,’ humorously remarked tho chairman, " ato what visitation will bo necessary.”

Wo will all get arrested,” Cc Kenwi

rejoined, but with no timidity noticeable id,his tones

The motion was du y adopted