certain irregularities

GOLDEN GROVE AND NABACLIS
It was reported to the Board that there were certain irregularities in the pay sheets of Golden Grove and Nabaclis, the Secretary mentioning that when he drew the attention of the Chairman and Dr. Grieve to the matter they said the best thing was to hold an investigation into the matter.
He did so directing the overseer of the Village Council to meet him on Friday last. (The Secretary here read the result of the enquiry, which is as follows: -
Minutes of a meeting held at Nabaclis Office on Friday 25th May 1893, at 8.20 a.m., to enquiry into a charge made by Mr. M. G. Pitta regarding the pay sheets forwarded from Golden Grove and Nabaclis Villages from the 15th April to 13th May inclusive.
There were present: - The Inspector of Villages, Adam Ridley, Chairman of the Village Council, Thomas Adams, Lammy T. Sancho, David Collins, M. G. Pitta, and A. M. Benn, Councillors.
The Inspector of Villages said that he had come up to make enquiry into pay list Nos. 1, 4, 11 and 13 in all of which the name of R. Agard appears.
He asked the Councillors if when they signed these pay sheets they knew that the parties whose names are on the pay sheets had performed the work. Messrs. Ridley and Collins answered in the affirmative, and Messrs. Sancho and Pitta answered in the negative.
The Inspector of Villages asked who witnessed the marks for the receipt, on the above pay sheets. Mr. Ridley replied that the overseer was not aware that it was necessary to have witnesses but that Mr. Collins, Mr. Benn and himself had seen the people paid.
The Inspector of Villages asked who had seen R. Agard paid.
Mr. Ridley and Mr. Benn replied that they had but Mr. Collins, said that he did not. Mr. Benn explained that R. Agard’s name was put down on the pay sheets but that no such person had worked and that Mr. Ridley the Chairman, received the amounts entered in Agard’s name as he (Mr. Ridley) had performed the work, but did not like his own name appearing in the pay sheets.
The Inspector of Villages pointed out that on pay sheets Nos 1 and 4 R. Agard’s name was signed by a cross (X) but on pay sheet No. 11, the signature was in full.
Mr. Ridley explained that on pay sheet No.13 R. Agard’s name had been entered but that on Mr. Adams inquiring who that party was he had admitted that it was himself (Mr. Ridley) and entered his own name over R. Agard.
Mr. Ridley admitted that he had committed a grave error, but that he had done it without the intention to fraud, as he really had worked during those weeks, but did not like to enter his own name as he was Chairman of the Council.
All the Councillors present admitted that they had worked at stopping the breach in the back dam and in digging the Sea Channel and they considered that as proprietors, they were justified in doing work for the benefit of the Village and receive payment for the same, just as any other proprietors might do.
The Inspector of Villages informed Mr. Ridley that he considered that he had committed a very grave fault in sending pay sheets which he knew were false to him for payment, and that the overseer was equally to blame for entering false names on the pay sheets. He would report the matter to the Central Board of Health at its meeting on Monday, and it would be for the Board to decide what should be done in the matter.
The chairman said the report opened up two questions, first the conduct of the Chairman himself in allowing a false name to be entered on the pay sheet, and secondly whether Councillors were to be allowed the privilege of working for the villages and receiving pay. He thought the second question would come up in connection with a letter, which would be read on the subject. He held very strongly in connection with the matter, which had been brought before them, and he moved that the Chairman of Nabaclis Village Council should be asked to tender his resignation.
Mr. North seconded the motion.
Mr. Murdoch agreed with what the Chairman had said and remarked that if they allowed matter of this kind to go on, the Ordinance could not be worked at all.
The motion was carried.
LETTER FROM VILLAGE COUNCILLORS
The Secretary read a Letter from three Councillors of Golden Grove and Nabaclis asking whether they would be allowed to work for the Council as they were not in a position to give their time and labour free.
Mr. Murdoch moved that the application be refused which was seconded by Mr. Anson and carried.
PAYMENT OF COUNCILLORS
Mr. Murdoch gave notice of motion to the effect that in consideration of the services of the Village Councillors they be remunerated in future for their work.
Source: Central Board of Health – Golden Grove and Nabaclis - The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana. Tuesday, May 30, 1893:page 4 columns 5&6.