8.—15 a

1898. NEW ZEALAND.

ASSETS REALISATION BOARD. BALANCE-SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31st MARCH, 1898, AND FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDED THE SAME.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives in Terms of Section 52 of " The Bank of New Zealand and Banking Act, 1895."

I, John Maeten Butt, formerly the Auditor appointed under "The Bank of New Zealand and Banking Act, 1895," to audit the accounts of the Assets Bealisation Board, do hereby certify,—■ 1. That I have carefully examined the attached balance-sheet marked " A" and initialled by me, and the attached statement marked " B " and initialled by me, and the accounts and other material whereon the same are based. 2. That the said balance-sheet and statement are correct in every particular, and truly and fully set forth the position of the Board at the date thereof, subject to the following observations: — (a.) With the exception of live and dead stock and other station-working accessories, and balance due from purchasers, the values carried into the balance-sheet are book-values. (b.) Accrued Revenue. —This includes a sum of £1,050, claimed from the Bank of New Zealand on account of rent. The bank does not, I understand, admit liability. The amount is held in suspense pending settlement of the question of the title to the Fort Street Mill, Auckland. J. M. Butt, late Colonial Auditor. Wellington, 20th June, 1898.

A. —Balance-sheet at 31st Maech, 1898. Liabilities. £ t. d. Assets. Three-and-a-half per cent, debentures Properties as under:— £ s. d. outstanding (A) .. .. •• 2,630,285 6 9 Stations (C), per schedule .. .. 1,721,492 4 0 Bank of New Zealand, including station Freeholds (D) .. .. .. 460,385 510 overdrafts and credits (B) .. .. 3,628 11 7 Other properties (E) .. .. 163,377 12 11 Produce Advance Account (drafts drawn Amount paid in excess of Mr. Hean's against produce (B2) .. .. 66,095 0 0 valuation .. .. .. 54,507 0 0 2,399,762 2 9 Balance due by purchasers on account of sales (H) .. .. .. 61,935 5 1 Realisation Adjustment Account (I) .. 101,154 17 6 Cash Account (J) .. .. 44 4 7 Suspense Account (X) .. .. 730 0 5 Produce Consignment Account (K2) .. 66,095 0 0 Accrued revenue (L) .. .. 3,084 13 4 Profit and Loss Account .. .. 67,202 14 8 £2,700,008 18 4 £2,700,008 18 4 (Initialled) J.M.B. W. C. Cuff, Accountant. We hereby certify that we have carefully examined the foregoing balance-sheet and statement, and also the accounts and other material whereon they are based, and that such balance-sheet and statement are correct in every particular, and truly and fully set forth the position of the Board at the date thereof. . Geoege Told, Chairman. Wellington, 17th June, 1898. Walteb G. Posteb, General Manager.