376
incomings and outgoings on account of the Fund.
7. It is probable that prior to that date many men left the Force without drawing their contributions and that the Estates of members dying were, through inadvertance, not credited with the contributions they had made, but owing to the record of subscriptions prior to 1875 not being extant, it is impossible now to trace the men to whom the surplus belongs.
8. Taking the ledger at present kept, and going back to 1875, it appeared that in March 1895, the total sum for which the Fund could be held liable was $2774, and that, at the same time, there was a balance in the Treasury to the credit of the Fund of $3211, leaving an unexplained surplus of $437. These figures I have verified and it appears likely that no claims will ever be put in to some of the further balances which appear as outstanding in the ledger.
9. As regards the Indian Mess Fund, the Captain Superintendent of Police, who is at present on leave in England, some time ago started messes for the Indian members of the Force at some of the stations, but for want of funds, was unable to start them at all the stations.
10. The initial expenses of starting these messes is heavy, as Cutlery, Crockery, &c., is necessary, and the sum of $2, to which each recruit is liable towards the Mess Fund, does not go far towards covering these expenses.
11. The expenses of the installations of such Messes as have already been started, have only been paid by large advances.
(2)