HEAVY DEFALCATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2935, 7 May 1891, Page 2

HEAVY DEFALCATION.

GISBORNE HARBOUR BOARD ACCOUNTS. (BY TELEGRAPH.— PKKHS ASSOCIATION). ("JIFpnHNR, List Night, RUMOURS havo been afl.iat for some time about seriouH defalcations in the accounts of the Harbour Board, anri ;it last night's meeting the Finance Committee, which was appointed to go through the ace untH, reported they hid made an investigation, which revealed (1) gross iiregulariiies, (2) actual deficiencies, which cm be earmarked, and (3) items aggregating hirge sums that can almost with certainty bo reported as deficient. Tho examination of the bank pay in slips reveal that a cheque had been received for rates, which was nut credited in tho cash book. The system had been carried on from I.SS7 tili tho time of the treasurer's (John Bourke) death from drowning on April Ist last. The actual deficiency tiaced amounts to Hlii'2o. The amount of rates levied outstanding, according to tho books, was t'3lßl, and of this £I(J3 has, during the investigation, been traced as deficiencies, bringing tho total alleged defalcations up to 411002, The examination revoals so many irregularities as make it a matter of great surpriso that tho books could have passed tho Audit Inspectors, without leading to such investigation as would reveal tho true {position of affairs. Tho Board has resolved to obtain legal advico on the matter. Bourko was also Town Clerk, and deficiencies of £118 having been discovered, an investigation of tho accounts has been authorised.