TRUST LANDS TRUST.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8444, 17 May 1907, Page 7

TRUST LANDS TRUST.

ANNUAL MEETING OP VOTERS. The annual meeting of fthe voters to the Masterton Trust Lands Trust was held in the Town Hall last evening. Mr T. B. Michel) presided, there were about twenty others present. It was decided, on the motion of Mr W. H. Jackson, that the annual report (which has already been published in the Age) be taken as read. The Secretary then read a statement of accounts for the year. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr E. McEwen seconded the motion. In reply to a question, the becrestated that the balance sheet niid not yet been audited, as the Government Auditor would not arrive in Masterton for some time yet. Mr W. H. Jackson moved as an amendment,'' That this meeting expresses its approval of the report and satisfaction with the statement of accounts presented by the Trust." Mr J. M. Coradine asked Mr Jackson to give an explanation of the obfject of his amendment. Mr 'Jackson stated that he did not "have any intention of casting reflections on the Trust, only he did not see how they could pass a balance-sheet that had not been audited. Mr A. Donald seconded the amendMr A. Haughey said that ne thought that they should only adopt i the report, as they had no balancesheet before them, it not having been audited. Mr A W. Hogg considered that the proper course was to adopt the report presented. He did not see how they could deal with the balancesheet until it had been printed and i circulated among the townspeople. I It was to be regretted that the bal-ance-sheet could not be submitted to the annual meeting. The Secretary stated that about three years ago they had had an interim balance-sheet printed for the annual meeting, and when the Government Auditor arrived afterwards he made some slight alteration —a matter of half-a-crown being transferred from one account to another. When the audited balancesheet was printed several citizens interviewed him and wanted the difference between the two balance-sheets explained. After this the Trust decided that no balance-sheet should be printed until it had been audited by the Government Auditor. Mr H. O'Leary spoke in favour of the amendment. Mr Jackson said he wished it to be understood that he did not in the least desire to censure the Trustees. On being put to the meeting the ' amendment was carried, three of • those present voting against it. Mr J. C. Ewington wished to know if it was necessary to call another meeting to adopt the balance-sheet When it had been audited. The Secretary stated that there was no need to call another meeting. A vote of thanks to the retiring Trustees and to .the Chairman concluded the business.