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Kumara Times, Issue 1750, 10 May 1882, Page 2

A meeting of the Borough Council was held at the Town Hall last evening, for the purpose of receiving the annual report and balance sheet. Present—His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Crs. Barnett, Seddon, Pollock, Burger, and Dove. The balance sheet having been placed before the Chairman, he stated that before it was passed he required further information, and he also wished to know why the balance sheet had been advertised in the Kumaka Times, before it had been considered by the Council. The Town Clerk stated that such was the case usually adopted and in this he was borne out by Cr. Seddon who quoted sections 131-32-32 in support of this view. The Chairman said he had received certain information from the auditors which he required to be satisfied upon before he would agree to the passing of the report and balance sheet. On the motion of Gr. Seddon, seconded by Cr. Barnett, the Council proceeded to consider the report. The Chairman then proceeded to read out the various items in the balance sheet, when he was interrupted by Cr. Seddon who remarked that the proper person to read the report was the Clerk, and he would not be a party to such an undignified proceeding, and he and Cr. Pollock then left the hall. The Chairman stated that his attention had been called by the auditors to certain items in the report which they could not understand. For instance the Town Clerk’s salary was £250 per annum and he found that he had drawn £270, the day laborer’s was £l5O and yet he had drawn £196. These besides other matters required explanation. The Town Clerk drew attention to the fact that there was no quorum, but he would give the explanation. They reason why his salary appeared larger this year was that last year the whole of his salary was not paid and it was the same with the day laborer. The Chairman stated that the auditors had complained that the clerk had refused to submit the general voucher to them, but only the sub-vouchers. The Clerk denied that such was the case. He had never refused to submit the general voucher for examination. He must howevei draw atttention to the fact that there was no quorum. The Chairman said such being the case he must adjourn the Council till Thursday next at the usual hour. The Council then adjourned. In connection with the above as Mr yhlo knew that a report of the proceedings of last night would be published in to-niguts Ivemaua Times, he requested us to publish the following c rrespondonco between himself and the auditors : Messrs Toms and Nkjholso, An 1 itors. Gentlemen, —The Mayor stated at a

meeting of the Council to-night, tliat oh had received a private report from you in which you state that you are disatisfied with several things, in the balance sheet, and that I had refused to give you any explanation of them ; also that I had refused shew you the general vouchers. Be good enough to let me know if yon have made such statement; to the Ma. r or. Yours obediently James Wvlde. Kumara, 9th May, 1882. Mr Jas. Wyldb,Dear Sir.— ln reply to your letter to Mr Toms and myself re statements made by the Mayor, I have to say that yon did not refuse to produce any document when asked, or refuse to give any information in regard to the audit of the Borough Accounts, nor have I furnished the Mayor with any private report. Yours truly, W. Nicholson. Kumara, May 10, 1882. Mr J. Wyldb j Dear Sir. —lnreply to your note' addressed to Mr Nicholson and myself respecting a statement made by the Mayor that he had a private report from us as auditors making a statement that we were dissatisfied with several things' iff the balance-sheet and that you had refused to explain &c. I beg to inform you that I, as an Auditor or a private citizen, have not furnished the Mayor or anyone else with a private report respecting the balauce-aheefc. You have received the Auditors Report with the balance-sheet, and as printed it is quite correct. Youi’s truly, R. Toms. Kumara, 11th May, 1882.