TOWN CLERK’S SUICIDE.

Shannon News, 20 December 1921, Page 3

TOWN CLERK’S SUICIDE.

TE KUITI DEFALCATIONS

Three months ago the Town Clerk of Te Kuiti (Mr F. E. Lamb) committed suicide in his office, and a sequel has now been unfolded in the report of the Government auditor (Mr H. Wylie), who has recently completed his annual audit of the borough books. The report, as under, was presented to the Council at a meeting last week: *

“I have carried out the examinations of the accounts up to October 31, and regret to say that serious irregularities have been discovered. Since October of last year I have come across ten instances in which the late, town clerk received cheques, totalling £466 18/7, and failed to account for them. The cash book, when written up to date, showed an apparent Surplus of cash alter allowing for vouchers paid as per list of £54 9/4, making a net deficiency of £412 9/3. There are numerous instances of other irregularities which had been rectified before my examination. As you are aware, no claims have been made for subsidy on rates lor five years, nor lor the subsidies which ’might have been obtained on the expenditure incurred during the celebrations of peace and the visit of the Prince of Wales.” The next announcement was a letter read from the Prime Minister intimating that he 'was not prepared to pay the accrued subsidies as it would establish a precedent embarrassing to Dominion finance. The matter was.. referred to the Finance Committee to consider what action was prudent.

The Mayor observed that the total losses in uncollected subsidies and rates arid defalcations and neglect would amount to nearly £SOOO.

Cr. Morton considered the Audit. Department had let them down badly. It was an extraordinary thing that they had to wait until the clerk was dead to And out these things. Other councillors spoke in similar strain.