1
The error was admitted, but it was not thought necessary to call for an alteration in the Detailed Statement of Expenditure.
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The excesses on the various Heads, emounting, as shown in the Accounts, to $185,550.54, have been duly provided for by Supplementary Appro- priation Ordinance (No: 6 of 1904), with the exception of $28,726.00 under the Head "Military "Expenditure".
The Detailed Statement of Expenditure is forwarded herewith.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
4. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as rendered by the Treasurer, shows an excess of Liabilities on 31st December 1903 of $62,711.46, as compared with a surplus of Assets of $66,869.88 on 31st December 1902.
LOCAL AUDIT.
5. The Audit of the Revenue and certain
other accounts was conducted under my directions by the Officers of my Department stationed in the Colony.
In his Report on the Revenue Accounts for
1903 the Acting Local Auditor informed me that
the collection of Crown Rents in the New Terri-
tory was not in a satisfactory position, and
he drew attention to the fact that out of an
estimated Revenue of $60,000, only $22,127.17
was realised, and that sums amounting to over
$7,000 had been written off as irrecoverable.
Certain defects in the method of collection have been pointed out to the Colonial authorities. by the Local Auditor, and I understand that
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