Harbor Board Accounts

Ashburton Guardian, Volume X, Issue 2373, 6 May 1891, Page 3

Harbor Board Accounts

ANOTHER UGLY BUSINESS.

]JTER PREBS ASSOCIATION.]

Gisbokne, May 6. Rumors have been afloat for some time of serious defalcations m the accounts of the Harbor Board. At last night's meeting the Finance Committee, which had beenappointed to go through the accounts, reported that they had made an investigation which revealed : First, gross irre gukrities; second, actual deficiencies which can be earmarked; and third, items, aggregating large sums, that can almcst with certainty be reported on as deficiencies. An examination of the bank pay-in slips, revealed that cheques received 1 for rates had not been credited m the ca«h book. This system had been carried on from 1887 till the time of the late treasurer's (Mr John Bourke's, death by drowning on April Ist last. The actual deficiencies traced amount to £1529, the amount of rates levied outstanding according to the books was £3184, and of this £163 has during investigation been traced as apparently deficient, bringing the total alleged defalcations up to JElfi92, The pxamination revealed 10 ifidAf irregularities, as to make it a.matter of great surprise that the books could hare parsed the Audit Inspectors without leading to •uch an investigation as would have revealed the true position of affairs. The Board resolved to obtain legal advice on the matter. Bou*ke was alio town clerk, and deficienciei of £118 having been discovered an investigation of the accounts has been authorised.