19

8.—5

OFFICE LOAN ACCOUNT for the Year ended 31st March, 1903, compared with the Financial Year ended 31st March, 1902.

JAMES B. HEYWOOD, Secretary to the Treasury. ROBERT J. COLLINS, Accountant to the Treasury. The foregoing accounts have been examined and found oorrect, subject to the following remarks:— 1. The " Customs," " Railways," and " Territorial Revenue " receipts are not now examined by the Audit Office. 2. The Audit Office is unable satisfactorily to verify the receipts of gold revenue, through the failure of the Mines Department to comply with a requisition for a certified statement of the accounts collectible as such revenue. 3. The "Advances in the hands of the officers of the Government" include payments to the amount of £2,211 165., though the accounts of the same were received at the Treasury before the close of the year. J. K. WARBURTON, Controller and Auditor-General. With reference to the above remarks, it is sufficient to reply that the revenues as named have been removed by law from the Audit Office examination for many years past; and, as to the gold revenue, the statement referred to is not required by law. With regard to the payments, amounting to £2,211 165., made by imprestees but not included in the account, these outstandings are known by the Audit Office to be unavoidable. R. J. SEDDON, 16th May, 1903. Colonial Treasurer.

1901-1902. EXPENDITURE. 1902-1903. £ s. d. Amount paid over to Government Advances to Settlers Office Account, — In respect of £500,000 3-per-cent. Stock Loan In respect of Temporary Advances £ s. d. £ s. d. 226,333 6 8 180,000 0 0 49,713 11 7 200,000 0 0 249,713 11 7 406,333 6 8 Charges and expenses of raising Loans, — In respect of £500,000 Loan 43,998 11 3 320,000 0 0 Temporary advances repaid Balance at end of year— Cash in the Public Account 64,955 0 8 Total £726,333 6 8 £358,667 3 6