Page image
Page image

H.—2l

134

Questions to be answered by Mr. Walker. 1. Do you remember Miss Howden, in the presence of Miss Harrison, speaking to you in reference to her holiday? —No. 2. Do you remember Miss Howden telling you that she was informed by the Matron of Te Oranga that at your suggestion the time of her illness was to count off her holiday? —No. 3. Did you make that suggestion to the Matron? —No. 4. Did you deny this allegation to Miss Howden, and add that it was the first you knew of her illness, or words to that effect? —No. I may have said that it was the first I knew of her illness. 5. Did you also add that, as a matter of fact,* it did not come under your Department?— No. (i. Please state what you remember of this interview? —I remember Miss Howden saying that the expenses in connection with her illness were heavy. I remember, too, that the Matron remarked that she thought Miss Howden acted very foolishly in getting out of bed, or leaving her room and walking to the door or gate to reach her cab, or words to that effect. Anything that was said at the time was said in a joke; there was laughter. F. T. Walker. Questions to be answered by Mr, Beck. 1. Do you audit the books of Te Oranga Home?—l audit the Post-Office Savings-Bank accounts of inmates at service, and all amounts paid by the Education Department as wages and pocketmoney to girls in residence at Te Oranga Home. 2. Have you ever suggested any alterations in the method of book-keeping at the Home? —Yes. 3. What did you suggest?—l suggested that a less complex system of book-keeping be adopted. On returning to YVellington, immediately after auditing, I discussed the matter with Mr. Pope. 4. Were you satisfied as to the method adopted in keeping account of the resident inmates' wage and mark money I —l was satisfied at the time that all moneys paid by the Department for wages and pocket-money had been properly accounted for. 5. Was such expenditure included in the Manager's private account?—l do not understand what is meant by " Manager's private account." At the time of auditing I understood from the Manager that she allowed the girls to incur certain expenditure, and saw that the accounts were paid out of their wages and mark-money. 6. Did you recommend that the girls' articles should be kept separate from her private account?—l have no recollection of so doing. 7. Do you know how the girls get the benefit of the 10-per-cent. discount allowed on the goods purchased for them by the Manager ?—I am under the impression that Mrs. Branting told me that the amount allowed as discount was expended for the benefit of the girls. 8. Do you remember the Manager saying your suggested alteration would increase the work of the clerk? —Yes ; but this statement was made by Mrs. Branting before she was fully aware of the alteration that. I proposed should be made. 9. Did you reply that your wish was tp decrease it if possible? —Yes. 10. Did you then understand Miss Howden's duties were restricted to clerking?— No. 11. Have you any recollection of Miss Hunt volunteering the response to a question of yours that Miss Howden did only clerk's work? —No. 12. Did Miss Howden contradict this statement?—l could not say. 13. Have you any method of checking the Manager's expenditure?— 14. Have you ever questioned such expenditure?— 15. Are vouchers received for this expenditure?— 16. What expenditure was questioned in December in regard to dinners?— 17. What was the explanation of the Manager?— 18. Were you satisfied with the explanation of the Manager?— These questions [13 to 18] seem to have been asked under a misapprehension as to my duties. (See my answer to question No. 1). 18th March, 1908 J. Beck.

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert