THE VOUCHER CHARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7900, 16 August 1905, Page 2

THE VOUCHER CHARGE.

AFFIDAVITS PRODUCED. CAPTAIN SEDDOM'S SWORH bTATEMENT HE DENIES AEY PAYMEHT. (Per Press Association.) * WELLINGTON, Aug. 15. On the Hpuso assembling to-day, Mr Fisher asked leave to present a petition from Messrs Lorcombe, West, and Willis, Christchurcli I'ost Office oll'uals, who asked that the inquiry now being' conducted by the AuditorGeneral into Mr Fisher's iterges bo open to the press, and that witnesses should be cross-examined (by Mr Fish-

Mr Seddon objected, saying thu\ the petition was not in order, but the Speaker ruled that it was, and it was received.

The Premier then presented a petition from Captain Seddon, who forwarded a statutory declaration, that he had not received a sum of between £7O ar/d : £BO for the jp-o'rgan-isation of defence stores as alleged The petition was received, but the statutory declaration was not atv tached.

Captain R. J, Seddon's statutory declaration is as follows :—(!) "During the whole of my employment in the public service (of New Zfealand, I have never received from the Imperial or New Zealand] GpveVnmcnt any payment whatever in Christcjhurch ; (2)! l havo never performed any services i» or about organising defence stores i| (3) I have never received in QhTiatchurch, or elsewhere, any payment of botween £7O or £BO, or any other sum, for re-or-ganising defenco stores, cither from tho Imperial or Newi Zealand Govern luent; (4) I have read the statement' made by Mr Fisher, M'.HR., with respect to a voucher for a, payment to me,, of between £7O and £Bo,' aired I say that 1 never saw or received ol signed such voucher, or received auy such payment ; (5) I have never at any time or at dn|y place received any sum or sums of money whatever from the New Zealand or Imperial Government to which I was not legally and properly entitled ui> der tho terms of my engagement ns a servant or officer of oilier of tin >said Governments."The affidavits of Messrs Larcombc, Willis, and West, Christdiurch Post Office officials, havo also been made public. barconrue swears that during 1904 there passed through his hands a vioucher for a sum exceeding £"0 made out in favour of Captain R. J. S. Seddon for tho re-organisation of tho defence stores at Wellington. Willis and West also swear that they saw this voucher. CHHISTCiU'KOH, Aug. 15. In explanation of the conflict iof testimony 'between the Treasury officials and tlhe Christchu'rch Post Office clerks as to the alleged Captain Seddon voucher, it is suggested locally that the vouchor niight have been made out hcre,ilnit payment refusod by the Audit Depa'rtinen'tl-'fn which ease both sides would be in the right.