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1902. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (REPORT OF) ON PAPER B.-19b—"THE PUBLIC REVENUES ACT, 1900": CORRESPONDENCE AS TO DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN AUDIT OFFICE AND TREASURY AS TO PAYMENT OF DRAFT IN RESPECT OF A CORONATION CONTINGENT.

Report brought up 30th September, 1902, together with Minutes of Evidence, and ordered, to be printed.

ORDERS OP REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives, Tuesday, the Bth Day of July, 1902. Ordered, "That a Committee, consisting of ten members, be appointed to examine into and report upon suoh questions relating to the Public Accounts as they may think desirable, or that may be referred to them by the House or by the Government, and also into all matters relating to the finances of the colony which the Government may refer to them ; five to be a quorum: the Committee to consist of Mr. J. Allen, Mr. Colvin, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Flatman, Mr. W. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Palmer, Sir William Russell, and the mover.—(Hon. Sir J. G. Waed.) Friday, the 4th Day op July, 1902. Ordered, " That Paper No. 67 (Correspondence between the Audit Office and the Treasury Department relative to expenditure of £3,000 in respect of the Coronation Contingent) be referred to the Publio Aocounts Committee."— (Hon. Sir J. G. Wabd.)

RE POET.

PAPER 8.-19b-"THE PUBLIC REVENUES ACT, 1900": CORRESPONDENCE AS TO DIPPERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN AUDIT OFFICE AND TREASURY AS TO PAYMENT OF DRAFT IN RESPECT OF A CORONATION CONTINGENT. The Public Accounts Committee, to whom was referred the abovementioned Paper, has the honour to report that it has considered the same, and taken evidence thereon, and. is of opinion: " That the charging of the £3,000 to the Imprest Account was in accordance with the practice followed by the Treasury for years, but that, in order to remove the contentions between the Controller and Auditor-General and the Treasury, an amendment of the Public Eevenues Act is necessary." G. Fishbe, Chairman. Tuesday, 30th September, 1902.

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