THE AUDIT COMMISSION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12636, 25 October 1905, Page 8

THE AUDIT COMMISSION.

(Per Press *ssoclaticn).

WELLINGTON, October 24. The Audit Commission resumed this mornjng. Thomas Francis Grey, Acting-tJnder-Secre'tary for Defence, deposed that between 1903 and September 30, 1904, he was exclusively the officer who approved and authorised payments on behalf of the Defence Department. No payment for reorganising tho Defence stores had been made during that period. A request to the Commissioner that the books of the Department should be produced to test the accuracy of tho witness was refused. Witness, under cross-examination as to whether fraudulent authority for payment might not be obtained, said he could not conceive a fraud happening in connection with the public service of the colony. Mr Jellicoe proceeded to refer to recent happenings in New South Wales, and asked questions thereon, but was ruled out of order. Witness, continuing, said the five officers in the commanding districts >and the Defence storekeepers had authority to certify to claims. At the Audit, Commission, during tho cross-examination of Ma- Grey by Mr Jellicoe, the president of the Commission sevena! times rebuked Mr Jellicoe, iand accused him of wasting the time of the Commission.

Mr Jellicoe denied wasting time. Mr Justice Denniston, speaking with warmth, said the Commission would have to take strong measures if Mr Jellicoo persisted. Mr Jellicoe said he was not to be intimated.

Mr Justice Denniston said: " The lan■guage you use is insulting to the Court."

•Mr JelHeoe: " No, your Honour; the ■language used to me as." The Commission ordered Mr Jelliooe to proceed with the cross-examination. Mr Grey, further cross-examined by Mr Jellicoe, said he could not say without reference to the books whether Colonel Porter certified to the payments /to Captain Seddon- of Imperial moneys. Dr Findlay (for Captain Seddon) intimated that every voucher, and every payment made to Captain Seddon, would be produced to the Court. Mr Jelliooe: Though that won't satisfy me. The cross-examination was continued at great length as to the possibilities of evading the ordinary checks on payment by fraud or otherwise.