WHAT BECOMES OF THE MONEY OF THE CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION? [From the "Lytttedton Times."]

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 671, 18 September 1852, Page 3

WHAT BECOMES OF THE MONEY OF THE CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION? [From the "Lytttedton Times."]

Our readers will find amongst the advertisements tlie Balance Sheet published by the Cajitcrbury Association, for the information of " the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade," containing a statement of their financial position for the year ending 13th November, 18.) I. However satisfactoiy tliis document may appear to the Government Inspector and to their Lordships, it cannot fail to be most unsatisfactory to tlie Colonists. Jt is not in fact any "account" at all. On the credit side the payments are made "to the Emigration Fund;" — "To the Miscellaneous Fund." But of what has been done with the monies so paid over to the " Trust," — there is no account. Yet there is sufficient information ft i ven to provoke an enquiry for more. It appears from Mr. Wedgwood's letter, that the whole of the monies accounted for must have brcn spent in England ;—"; — " The sums expended in the Colony" having been "not yet brought into account." There must then have been above £8,300 spent in England out of the Ecclesiastical Fund. Spent in what ? It is really a matter of importance that the Colonists should be informed how this enormous expenditure has taken place in England. Does it include the Endowment of the Church in Land ? — or the money invested for the Bishoprick ? What does it include? We do not mean to insinuate that the money has been wwsspent. AYe simply desire to know how it has been spent. The same may be said of the other Funds. The majority of the Emigration Fund is, of course, disbursed in England. But there is a payment of nearly £13,000 to the "Miscellaneous Fund." Now we cannot conceive any charge upon the Miscellaneous Fund in England, except the expenses of management. Surely this has |not cost £13,000 in one yertr. Yet from the mode adopted of stating the accounts, it would seem so ; for there is an entry below of a Bill for £1,000 drawn by Mr. Godley, which would imply that the above item does not include any of the expenses in the Colony. How £13,000 of the Miscellaneous Fund can have been expended in England is really a great mystery. We repeat we have not made these remarks with any view of unfairly criticising the conduct of the Association ; but we feel bound on the part of the Settlement to enter our strongest protest against the system hitherto adopted by them of concealing their accounts. Until there is a full and unreserved statement of receipts and expenditure — discontent will be expressed, and unworthy motives imputed ; and the Association must take the inc\ i table consequences of the want of judgment of which they have been guilty.