Council Objects to Remark in Court Case

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 2

Council Objects to Remark in Court Case

BORROWING PUBLIC MONEY. (Special to “Times.”) WAIPUKURAU, Last Night. Strong exception was taken to the suggestions, made at a recent court case, that it was a common practice for local ! body officers to borrow money from tho petty cash account for their own use j and a vigorous protest was made, at tho monthly meeting of the Waipukuj rau Borough Council, last evening, that this was not the case. At the lower court hearing of tho case referred to, the chairman of tho Waipawa Hospital Board (Mr W. H. Rathbone) was asked: “Has the secretary of the board authority to use the board’s money to pay private accounts?” He replied: “Only in the same way as other local body officers do.” At the Supremo Court hearing of tho same case the managing-secretary of tho board was asked: “The Crown wants to know what right you had to draw money out of imprest?” Ho replied: “No right, but I think it goes on .in every other office in New Zealand, j His Honour, Mr Justice Ostler, remarked: “It is a very serious state of affairs if in every local body office in the country officers are dipping into the petty cash.” On the motion of Cr. H. A. Martin, seconded by Cr. J. L. Brathwaite, the Borough Council unanimously passed the following resolution: “This council strongly objects to the remark made by the chairman and the managing-secre-tary of the Waipawa Hospital Board that it is a common practice for local body officers to borrow public funds for . their own use; tho practice is certainly not followed in this office.” “In connection with the remarks of the chairman of the Hospital Board,” said Cr. Martin in introducing the subject, “I think that we should have something to say. The remarks were not altogether accusing, I suppose, but we could not altogether agree with them.” Cr. Brathwaite said that he thought that the council should at least reassure the ratepayers that nothing like that ever went on in their offices. That the remarks should be given a denial in fairness to the staff was the opinion expressed by the town clerk, Air B. H. Smart. Further discussion took place before tho motion was finally put to the meeting. It was passed unanimously.