Folios 531-532. To: The Home Secretary. From: Thomas Davenport, Secretary of the...

Folios 531-532.

To: The Home Secretary.

From: Thomas Davenport, Secretary of the Poulton-cum-Seacombe Ratepayers Association, Seacombe [Cheshire].

Subject Matter: Letter advising that the audit of the accounts of the Wallasey Local Board, by Mr J K Roberts, is to commence next Thursday. Davenport states that he has now examined the accounts of the Board and has found that the amount surcharged from the last audit has not yet been paid, and that the Board seldom enter into contracts or advertise for goods above £10 and £100 respectively, as required by the Public Health Act 1848. He explains that he has made a list of amounts of £10 and upwards of goods ordered in this manner, which are said to amount to a total of £2000, and which he objects to the passing of by the Auditor. He enquires whether the Auditor is not bound to admit his objections as 'good in Law', and is compelled to refuse to pass the Board's accounts and to surcharge the amount upon the Board in consequence of their not having complied with the Public Health Act 1848. Davenport further enquires whether, as the deeds of the property of the Board have not been produced for inspection, in accordance with the Act, the ratepayers can insist on the audit being adjourned until such deeds are produced.