GOVERNMENT RETURNS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9802, 23 July 1903, Page 2

GOVERNMENT RETURNS.

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A return of stock slaughtered, and compensation paid therefor under the Stock Act Amendment Act 1898, shows that there were condemned 2 horses, 2316 cattle, and 59 swine. The total paid m compensation was £4155 15s 7d, of which £56 10s was on full market value and £4099 5s 7d on half market value. The total sum received m respect of the disposal of carcases was" £611 17s 3d, of which £21 10* 6d was deducted from compensation, and £590 6s 9d was paid into the Public Account. Returns furnished by the Land and Income Tux Department show that on March 31, 1902, taking as a basis the improved value of land, there were 75,---078 owners of land valued at under £500, and the total improved value of the land owned by them was £13,801,---953, £500 and under £1000, 18,141 owners, total improved value £12,715,457, £1000 and under £10,000, 21,002 owners, total improved value £53,621,018;- £10,---000 and over, 1492 owners, total improved value £40,843,171; a. grand tojbal of 115,713 land owners, who possess £120,---981,599 worth of land on the improved value. Classifying the owners of land according to the unimproved value there are: Under £500, 92,925 owners, total unimproved value £11,000,815 ; £500 and under £1000, 10,136 owners, total unimproved value £7,102,401; £1000 and un.der £10,000, 11,791 owners, total unimproved value £30,337,962 ; £10,000 and over, 861 owners, total unimproved value £22,083,426, so that the same grand total of land owners 115,713 possess £70,524,604 worth of land on the unimproved value. Some interesting figures relating to the number of pupils attending secondary schools at the end of 1902, are furnished m a Parliamentary paper laid before the House. The total number was 3072 ; of whom 84 boys and '63 girls were from 12 to 15 years, 999 boys and 640 girls were from 15 to 18 years, and 76 boys and 61 girls were over 18 years of age. ■;'.•■ The report of the Government Advances to Settlers Office shows that the Board had up to the 31st March last authorised 12,922 advances amounting to £4,316,940. The total amount asked forby the 12,922 applicants, granted m full and partially, was £4,903,515. There were 1629 applicants who declined the grants offered to them, amounting to £735,280, so that the net advances authorised to 3lst March last numbered 11,293, and amounted to. £3,581,660. The securities for the authorised advances were valued at $ £7,849,728, and these are m many instances being enhanced by the expenditure m improvements of part of the money borrowed and by the liability reduced by the periodical repayments and principal. In the case of instalment loans, the number of applicants received to 31st March, 1903, was 16,643 for an aggregate amount of £5,---927,495. The one per cent, sinking fund now m the hands of the Public Trustee amounts to £125,867. The cash balance of £22,488 at credit of management account, on 31st March;- last 'was paid to the Public Trustee to the credit of the assurance fund. The balance, including interest to the 31st March at the credit of the fund, now amounts to £67,911. The Government ( Insurance Commissioner reporting on the business of the accident insurance branch for the year ending December 3ist, 1902, states that the premium income amounted to £14,-' 100, an increase of £2244 over the premiums received during the previous period. The total claims, including provision for those not actually settled at the close of the year, amounted to £7364, as against £2428 m 1901. The rate m proportion to the premiums earned showing a marked increase. A sum of £4363 is held as a reserve on account of olaims accrued, but unsettled as at December 31st. The total expenses show a decrease of about 4 per cent, on the premium income, as compared with 1901. A further sum of £240 has been carried to the earned premium reserve, which now stands at £4020. The funds show an increase of £691, and now stand at £1007. The statement of accounts of the Government Valuation of Land Department for the year ending 31st March, 1903, shows that the receipts amounted to £27,225, including fees £2584, contribution from local authorities' £3477, contributions from Government Advances to Settlers Office £2500, contribution from Land Tax Department £6726, recoveries £958. the balance being the net cost of the Department £10,978. On tlie expenditure side it is shown that the salaries totalled £11,440, clerical assistance £8899, travelling expenses £4073, fees to valuers £807.