has discharged the duties of that office, but having regard to my predecessor's despatch No. 111 of the 11th of September 1871, from which you perceive how it arose that Mr. Austin was allowed to draw £252.10s by his tenure of office of Auditor General, and £250 additional to his Salary as Colonial Secretary, I am able to accede to his request. Mr. Austin is incorrect in describing this as "unappropriated half salary" as a reference to the Estimates will show that only £250 is now annually provided for the head of the Audit Office.