LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 122, 9 June 1870, Page 5

LAWRENCE TOWN COUNCIL.

In re bate collectob.

A special meeting of the Council was held on Saturday evening. Present — all the councillors. In the absence of the Mayor, Cr. Mears was called to the chair. The object of the meeting was to consider what steps should be taken with regard to the rate collector of Lawrence, who had been repeatedly asked by the Council to submit his books and a full statement of the moneys he had collected, and had as often evaded complying with their request. The Council had reason to suspect that Mr, Lange was not paying into the Bank all the moneys he had collected. Receipts were found to have been in possession of several ratepayers for six or seven months, the amounts of which had not been accounted for. At a special meeting of the Council, held to consider the matter on Friday evening, Cr. Harrop and the Town Clerk were deputed to call upon Mr. Lange and demand all books and money in his possession, the property of the Corporation.

Cr. Harrop stated that the Town Clerk and himself had gone to the Blue Spur that (Saturday) morning, Mr. Grieve informed them that Lange had left a letter to be forwarded, addressed to the Town Clerk, Said letter stated that he (Lange) was sorry he could not make up the whole amount of which he was deficient. That he had gone off to the Dunstan, where he would get as much money as would square the accounts, and would return in five days, Cr. Harrop continued by stating that in about ten

minutes after their arrival at the Spur, Lange came into the Btore, and they at once presented him with the list of deficiencies, and requested him to deliver up the books and what money he had in his possession, and give a full statement of his accounts. Dr. Halley being present, and hearing that Lange had received some money from the Dunstan, tried to induce him to give it him, and he would take it to his surety, Mr. M'Nickle, who would make up the deficiency, but Lange made no reply. Cr. Harrop then again asked him to deliver up the money and books to him, but he said, finding he was a little short of money, he was going to the Dunstan, and hoped che Council would wait. They then told him that his liberty was hanging by a thread, and they would give him an hour to deliver up the books and what money he had, failing which, a warrant would be issued for his apprehension. They then stai ted him on the road, and since then, had seen nothing of him up to the time of the present meeting. Cr. Harrop said that Lange appeared quite stupid, and had no idea of his position.

Cr. Coverlid remarked after what had been said and dene he would move that the matter be placed in the hands of the police. Cr. Walker seconded the resolution. He considered the course taken by the Council had been a lenient one. Every chance and opportunity had been afforded Lange to free himself from his awkward position. If he went to the Dunstan, there was no likelihood of him paying up. He (Cr. Walker) considered it the duty of the Council to take measures to give him his deserts for his unfaithful conduct.

A discussion then arose as to whose duty it was to lay the information, whether it rested with the Rate Committee or Finance Committee.

Cr. Coverlid's resolution was then put in the following shape, and carried unanimously :—": — " That information be laid by Cr. Mears against Frederick Lange for embezzling the funds of the Corporation to the amount of £40, more or less." The Council then adjourned.