H,—BBc

1905. NEW ZEALAND.

ALLEGATIONS MADE BY F.M.B. FISHER, ESQ., M.H.R.: REPORT OF INQUIRY MADE BY THE CONTROLLER AND AUDITOR-GENERAL IN REGARD TO AN ALLEGED PAYMENT TO CAPTAIN SEDDON IN CONNECTION WITH ORGANIZATION OR REORGANIZATION OF DEFENCE STORES; TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Laid on the Table by Mr. Sptaktr.

Sir,— Audit Office, 30th August, 1905. In obedience to the request of the House of Representatives, conveyed to me by the resolution of which a copy was forwarded to me with your letter of the 10th instant, that I should inquire and report in terms of the petition of J. B. Heywood, Secretary to the Treasury; R. J. Collins, Assistant Secretary to the Treasury; and T. F. Grey, Acting Under-Secretary for Defence, and that such inquiry should include the whole period of Captain Seddon's employment in the public service, I have the honour most respectfully to state that 1 have inquired accordingly, and to report that, in my opinion, the certificates in question are correct in substance and in fact— that during the whole period of Captain Seddon's employment in the public service—from the :51st March, 1903, to the 30th June, 1905—n0 voucher was ever issued and passed through the Treasury for a payment to him for the organization or reorganization of Defence stores, that no such voucher exists, and that no such payment was ever made; and I beg leave to submit a copy of the correspondence and minutes of evidence. I have, &c, J. K. Wakbuhton, Controller and Auditor-General. The Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

COBRESPONDBNCE, MINUTES OF EVIDENCE, ETC.

gtR; House of Representatives, Wellington, 10th August, 1905. I have the honour to forward herewith copy of a resolution passed by the House of Representatives this day, together with copy of the petition referred to in the resolution. I have, <fee, The Controller and Auditor-General. A. R. Guinness, Speaker.

No 64 1905.—Extract from thk Journals of the Housy of Representatives, Thursday, the 10th Day of August. Resolved That the Controller and Auditor-General be requested to inquire and report in terms of the 'prayer of the petition of J. B. Heywood, Secretary to the Treasury; R. J. Collins, Assistant Secretary to the Treasury; and T. F. Grey, Acting Under-Secretary for Defence, presented this day ; such inquiry to include the whole period of Captain Seddon s employment in the public service. 1 A true extract. H. Otter son, Clerk of the House of Representatives. On the motion of the Right Hon. R, J, Seddon ; I—H. 33c,