The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-06-22
GRAND JURY PRESENTS
AN ELABORATE REPORT
Deals With Loose Handling of Judiciary De-
partment Funds -Indictment of Get.Rich-
Quick Concern Agent.

SAA@O>
the system was inaugurated, that be.
ing as soon as possible after annexa-
ton, was presented before Judge De
| Bolt yesterday.
1t deals with several defective spots
in departmental administration, COM
ments on an indictment found in con-
nection with a ''get-rich-quick'' con-
C, I'm, discusses public health matters
prods the police for it's inactivity in
enforcing anti gambling laws and rec
ommendS a certain criminal law
amendment. Following is the text of
the report:
JUDICIARY DEPARTMENT.
The investigation of irregularities
occurring in connection with the de-
posits of trust funds and proceeds
from estates has shown, in our judg-
ment, that they might never have ex-
listed had there been proper system
of accounts established in connection
Herewith and properly audited
Monies paid into the court without
record as to what clerk received the
same; bank deposits carried for a
term of years without being balanced;
auditing of books containing cash en-
try against which there are no depos-
it's (when due care in following up
these entries might have exposed
shortages three or four years ago and
averted those that have since occur
red); indiscriminate signing of checks
for withdrawal of funds; and lack of
proper supervision by the Court itself,
as implied by the facts that came I'M
der our observation;-aH these indi-
cate such 1ooseness of methods as
must prove of great danger to these
funds
Criminal carelessness always ac
companies. or is likely to accompany,
responsibility of system, and the
way becomes open and comparatively
easy for the breaking of law to
clerk so disposed to do. 1t was newt
able that indictments should be found
as a result of our examinations.
We understand the Courts and Au-
diting Department are devising a new
system of handling these funds, and
for a more complete audit of these ac-
counts, and therefore refrain from
making any further suggestions in re-
spect thereto.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR.
In the course of the investigation of
the irregularities above referred to
suggestion was developed relative to
the need of a public adminiStra tor.
From the testimony given as to the
assistance which the clerks of the Jul
dietary Department have given to ex-
ecutors and administrators of estates
who are either ignorant of the law or
the method of procedure, and whose
estates under administration are not
large to warrant legal con- |
sultation and expenditure, it appears |
to the Grand Jury that we can prop |
erly endorse the suggestion that rec
be made to the next
Legislature on the subject Of public
Enthusiastically.
MISSING DOCUMENTS.
In connection with the investigation
IF the Judiciary Department special
inquiry was instituted by the Grand
Jury as to certain missing documents
pertaining to the Spreckels-B Brown
to which attention had
been called. While nothing of sat
sfactory character could be deternin
I'd regarding this special matter, yet
lpon the whole we are satisfied that
he inquiry has been valuable in that
T has shown the present system of
airing for documents on public file
o be more thorough than formerly ex-
sted. Therefore there should be an
increased general confidence through
tut the community in regard to 1t.
There is, however, urgent need of
greater security for documents tenn
'orarily or permanently on file in the
judiciary Department, and provision
hould be made by law for the regis
ration in the office of the Registrar
f Conveyances of all probate records.
AUDITING DEPARTMENT.
Incidental and subsequent to the ex- :
mipation of the affairs of the Judi {
larry Department, the Grand Jury t
the Auditor, as also the ,
Deputy Auditor, to answer inquiry as G
} the conduct of the Audit Depart t
lent 1t seemed pertinent - ask: c
How could it be possible for such t
1ndition to exist in the Judiciary De- g
artrnent relative to the accountancy a
estate and trust funds in view of q
lie pain requirement of the Audit h
ct for the Auditor to establish a true q
nd satisfactory system of bookkeep- g
e for each Department or Bureau of
e Governments" This requirement
Id not been met as to these funds of
public trust character. Was there C.
~ failure of audit on the part of the t.
uditor? Was he lacking in the meet p
e of responsibility in this one par o
.ular? Every inquiry received care d
| and candid answer by the Auditor d
herein ii became clearly manifest II
at he fully recognized the obliga- to
ms and responsibilities of his office
ID endeavors faithfully to meet II
EN-. And yet, so far as concerns fe
e providing a system of bookheep- II
2 for the care of estate and other W
lst funds he held some uncertainty al
q doubt whether it could properly Il
me within his province this doubt b
ing due TO the fact that the said II
nds were not subject to the usual or 81
stomary governmental direction but al
Their came under the immediate SUI g
ryision and order Of the Courts. In er