LETTER FROM THE AUDITOR-GENERAL RELATIVE TO THE LATE PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE COMMISSIONERS' MEMORANDUM.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1891 Session II, H-03c

H.—3o

Sess. 11.—1891. NEW ZEALAND.

LETTER FROM THE AUDITOR-GENERAL RELATIVE TO THE LATE PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE COMMISSIONERS' MEMORANDUM.

Presented- to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Controller and Auditor-General to the Hon. the Premier. Sir, — Audit Office, Wellington, 6th July, 1891. I have no desire to take further notice of the memorandum of the late Commissioners on the Public Trust Office (H.—3b) than to prevent Parliament being misled by a misstatement of fact. It is not the fact that any of the items mentioned on page 3 of the memorandum as being written off the amount without being referred to Parliament have been so dealt with. 1. Expenses in connection with confirmed leases, £824 9s. 3d. : £500 was voted last year, and £500 is on the estimates this year to cover all such charges. 2. Interest paid to E. Hackett, £20 17s. 7d. : £21 was voted last year to meet this. 3. Amounts paid on account of estates, £164 14s. lid. : These advances are made under the authority of the 9th section of " The Public Trust Office Act, 1876." The two remaining items were issued as " unauthorised," and therefore come under the approval of Parliament in the Appropriation Act. I have, &c, James Edward FitzGerald, The Hon. the Premier. Controller and Auditor-General. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,400 copies), 15s.

By Authority: Gkoege Didsbubjt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9l. Price, 3d.]