Perth Amboy evening news., 1909-12-24

Continued from page ~
ent arrears OF taxes to be used al a
starting point for future examina-
tions and sets forth that the arrears
OF taxes contain $1,S3O.77 Of old
taxes apportioned to the borough
from East Brunswick township which
are of no value and should be can
ceiled.
The condition of the books has
made the Investigation very unsatis-
Factory and the expert recommends
that competent municipal account
ant be employed at once to pre-
pare and open a simple, yet compre-
hensive system Of books for the bor-
ough. If officials are not capable of
Keeping them an auditor or book
keeper could be secured at small
cost. The borough is growing and
the expert thinks 1t should be start
ed right.
In comparing the printed state
ments of the tax collector with the
books and accounts several errors
were discovered. The records OF the
former county clerk, John II. Con
ger, showed $30,24S paid to Col
lector Allgair during the period from
March /, 1902, to January L. 1909.
while the collector had reported re-
ceiving $28,955, leaving $1,29S un-
accounted for.
County Collector II. Raymond
Groves's books show $i07.26 paid
to the collector of the borough for
railroad tax paid by the state. while
Allgair's books only show s61.14. as
the amount received, a difference
there OF $4e.12. 1t is not insinuated
that he has appropriated these funds,
but the error Is charged to bad book
keeping, as mistakes have been made
on both sides OF the books. The coll
lector has charged himself with ST.
6S1 for cash owed on school bond of
1901, while the report of the former
examiner, Mr.. Serviss, shows this
amount due from the borough to the
school fund and not personally from
the collector He has also charged
himself with $1,100 paid on two
school bonds from the school moneys
which was an error. The expert gives
a number of figures showing differ
ences between the books and vouch-
ers.
I'm justice to the mayor" the re-
port says, ut may be stated that at
the June meeting of common coun.
Gil he requested the appointment OF
an accountant to examine his booksas
committing magistrate for five years
and that If he be found to be indebt-
ed to the borough he would pay any
deficiency The condition of the rec.
ords as above set forth shows that 1t
is almost impossible to state with
accuracy this account. If fines were
RENTED or charged no record IS
made of them nor of charges mad in
commitments. / would suggest that
In this borough proper person be
appointed recorder at moderate
salary, thus relieving the mayor of
performing the duties of a magis-
trate."
In conclusion the expert says:
while this examination shows
gross carelessness In the bookkeeping
methods Of some of the departments.
wish to emphasize the splendid fl
nancial condition Of the borough of
South River
ut has no school debt IT'S certifi-
cdJob VI luucUl0uu6SSg @H,EUU S0OuI0
have been paid from funds on hand
and enforced collection of assess
ments, there being ample for this
purpose. The bonded debt is COM
posed Of borough hall bands. $780,
300, and eletcric light bonds, $4,000.
These bonds contain sinking fund
provisions and $2,025 have been paid
nto sinking fund for their redemp-
tion. The only outstanding note on
November 1, 1909, was $1,000.
Against this the borough owns its
own schools, docks, borough hall,
lire apparatus and electric light plant
and has arrears Of taxes Of $S,076.-
SO, besides the whole levy for the
year 1909, $28,213.80, uncollected at
The time Of the closing of my examin-
alton, November 1, 1909"