The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1886-09-14

IS The item of $3.50 50 paid to the Interior De-
partment was paid on account of and under the
following circumstances
1t appears that on March 81, 1884, when the
Chief Clerk of the Department of the Interior
made up LIS final accounts for the biennial period
that close on that date he found shortage of
$3.50 80, and being unable to give any expana-
ton of this at the time, he was required by the
Minister of the Interior to make good the deficit
out of his own pocket, which he did, feeling salts
hed at the time that more thorough and extended
search than he had been able to make would result
IN discovering the error, which was afterwards
found IN the following way: In entering the Mar
shals Prison accounts in the books of the Interior
Department, debit entries had been entered as
credit entries and vice versatile difference being
the amount above stated. The whole matter was
thoroughly investigated by the Auditor General,
who reported in writing to the Cabinet that the
amount should be refunded to the Chief Clerk. <
" The item of S9,125, on account of interest on
special loan was paid out and duly receipted by
the parties receiving the same, and was on account
of money borrowed from time to time to time
during the last period on special loan account as
mentioned in the Finance report
The new Police Court building item of
S2,926 40 was on account of building the new
Police Station the appropriation of $4,000 not
having been sufficient to complete the building
which, on account of pressing need, 1T was deemed
important to finish as speedily as possible.
The two last items viz S2,747 81, pay of tax
assessors, and $2,0S7 %, pay of tax collectors
were for balance due TO them az commissions, thu
appropriation not having proved Suluclent. line
late Minister of Finance strongly recommended
to the last Legislature to increase the items of
pay of assessors and tax collectors to $4,000 and
S2o,OO0 respectively, pointing out at the same time
that, in his opinion, it would be necessary. The
Assembly, however, voted bat $4,000 and $4,000
Tor this purpose, and 1t was found insufficient.
In conclusion, your committee believe that
the whole amount has been reported properly and
far needful purposes, and therefore recommend
that the bill pass" Tabled for presentation of
minority report.
Representative Dickey, from the same commit
tee, presented minority report on the same sub
iect, as follows; :
1.-The entire expenditures were made contrary
to article 10 of the Constitution which reads
Article -. No subsidy, duty or tax of any de-
scription shall be established or levied without
the consent of the Legislature: nor shall any
money be drawn from the Public Treasury with
out such consent except when between the sessions
of the Legislative Assembly the emergencies of
war; invasion, rebellion pestilence or other public
disaster shall arise and then not without the con
currence of all the Cabinet and of majority of
the whole Privy Council; and the Minister of
Finance shall render a detailed account of such
expenditure to the Legislative Assembly" -
There have been no war; INVASION rebellion,
pestence or other public disaster during the past
period, none of the expenditures mentioned III the
bill were allowable under strict construction
moreover none of said expenditures we're acted
upon by the Privy Council as required, nor has
detailed account of the same been rendered to this
Assembly.
1.-The expenditures were all made by authority
of Cabinet Council resolutions. In passing such
resolutions the Cabinet usurped authority to
which they were not lawfully entitled, and hereby
made themselves individually and personally
responsible for the action of the Minister of
Finance.
"Two of said items:
Pay Pay of Tax Tax e coiieo197. 8
Could have been avoided entirely if the Minister
of Finance had used ordinary judgement. He |
have fixed the commission of Assessors and Col |
lectors in the District of Honolulu at % per cent
instead of the exorbitant commission of 4 per |
cent, as allowed by him. thereby saving the coun- |
try about $500 during the biennial period and |