UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 229, 11 September 1914, Page 3

UNAUTHORISED EXPENDITURE.

A Refund Demanded.

From Road Board Members*

At TLurdday's meeting of the Franklin County Council a budget of correspond:nee was read iclating to the late Mercer Koad Board. It appeared that for the year ended March 31st last this Board's unauthorised expenditura exceeded tht prescribed limit by £l4 10s 8d (being travelling expenses paid to Messrs Hanna and Pickett), and the Audit Office called upon members of the Board to restore this sum to the county funds. Advice was given that in the event of failure to make a refund Eurcharges would be issued under the Public Revenues Act A statement made by the AuditorGeneral is interesting to all members of local bodies:—"Ucder the Public Revenues Act the Audit Office surcharges all members who weie present at meetings when illegal expenditure was passed, and who did not object thereto. The responsibility i 3 a joint and several one and the Audit Office is unable to take into consideration what proportion each member pays or whather some of the members are absent from New Zealand or not. The remainder mußt discharge the liability and adjust matters between themselves as best they can." There were five members of the Board—Messrs Martin, Tregowetb, Pickett, Landon and Lincoln. Mr Linoln is now in India and Messrs Martin and Tregowetb each paid one-fifth of the amount challenged, and further expressed their willingness to pay their share of the absent member's amount. Mr Landon and Mr Pickett declined to pay.

Mr Pickett wrote to the County Clerk sajicg that the Board was pushed out of existence as from March 31st, at which time the balance sheet was not made up. The assets and liabilties were then handed over to the Councii. He never saw the balance sheet and if the Council accepted it they accepted all rcsponeibility with it. He declined to accept responsibility until he knew more about it.

Cr Renall said that any member who did notjsay "no" when an illegal vote was made was responsible even if he was opposed to it. Cr Lyons said that Mr Kelly was in an awkward position. He was not a member of the Board when the decision to pay was made but he was when the payment was made. Cr Campbell moved, That this OouDcil do not act as intermediaries any longer and that final notice be sent to Messrs Landon and Pickett advising them of fieir true position, This was seconded by Cr Lyons and carried.