The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-11-29
REPORT SAYS
AUSTIN MUST
LOSE HIS JOB
To the President and members of the
Senate:

To the President and members of the
Senate:
Your committee to investigate the
Auditors Department to whom was re-
ferred the message of the Governor in
regard to the Auditor, Mr.. H. c. Austin,
beg leave to make the following ma
jority report:
After careful Investigation, we find
that Mr.. H. c. Austin, in the latter part
of August or the beginning OF Septem-
iber of the present year, attempted to
borrow money from Mr.. c, f. Chilling
worth, Deputy High Sheriff of the Ter
ritory Mr.. Chillingworth, on being
questioned by the Committee stated
that Mr. Austin asked him If he hadn't
any money at all in the drawer. To
which Mr.. Chillingworth answered, mo
1 havn't got anything in the drawer at
ALL" When Mr.. Chillingworth was
questioned what the drawer" meant,
he stated he took 1T for granted that
Mr.. Austin meant the Government
funds, because there could have been
no other funds but the Government
funds in said drawer.
This evidence can be found on pages
80 and SO of the Report hereto attach
ed.
The third charge in the Message from
the Governor accuses Mr.. H. c. Austin
of having passed a check of upwards of
$1,70O, drawn by Mr.. Austin in favor of
Henry c. Hapai, Registrar of Public
Accounts of the Territory of Hawaii,
said check being drawn on the First
Bank of Hilo We find that Mr.. Aus
tin had no funds at said bank when Mr..
Hapai through his bank, the Bank Of
Hawaii presented the check to the
First Bank of Hilo for collection. Mr.
Hapai did not endorse the check, as he
was afraid that as soon as he did so he
would be made responsible for the
amount. He therefore, deposited the
check, and endorsed on the back of it,
"fOr collection only" and the Bank Of
Hawaii then sent the check to Hilo for
collection and it was returned, having
been dishonored in Hilo.
The fourth charge was that Mr.. Aus
tin procured from Mr.. William Vanat-
ia, public accountant residing in HilO
the sum of 1925. Mr. Austin gave his
check upon a bank in the City of Homo
lulu to said William Vanatta for said
amount, well knowing at the time that
he had no funds in said bank to cover
the payment of same. And when Will
liam Vanatta, as Public Accountant,
made his regular returns to the Trea-
sury Department, they included said
mony of MI. Hapai Registrar of Pub
lie Accounts, that he received the said
check and took it to Bishop and Com
pany for collection. Payment of said
check was refused and on the face or
it was written mo funds
This testimony can be found in the re-
port attached, from pages 81 to Al.
There are also two letters, dated Au-
gust 18th and August Is, 1902, respec-
lively pertaining to this fourth charge,
which are as follows:
"William Vanatta, Esq,
superintendent Hilo Water Works.
"Sir:-I herewith return draft of the
Banking House of Bishop and Company
issued payable to your order by II. C.
Austin, for 1925 for the reason written
on the face, not sufficient funds You
will find enclosed receipt for $2,252 So,
the balance of your remittance of $2,-
5O7 So.
every respectfully
HENRY C. HAPAI.
, "Hilo, Hawaii, Aug. 10, 1902.
"Mr. Henry c. Hapai, Registrar of
Public Accounts.
Dear Sir:-Your communication of
the 18th inst. is at hand, wherein you
| inform me that the draft drawn on
Bishop & Company by H. c. Austin, in
favor of myself, had not been paid for
| lack of funds in bank l would say in
reply that have received a letter from
him, dated August 18th, wherein he
states that he would deposit the amount
with you on the following day.
Trusting he has done so, will await
your reply.
"Respec fully yours,
''WM. VANATTA,
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