CLASS II.-continued. VOTE 18. THE MINT, INCLUDING COINAGE. REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL. 1. EXPENDITURE in excess of the Estimate has taken place under Sub-Heads D., Excess. G. and L. 2. The Net Surplus to be Surrendered is, as shown by the Account, 5,764l. 5s. 4d. Surplus. 3. In addition to the sum of 108,2001. appropriated in aid of the Vote the Extra Extra Receipts realised during the year amounted to 250,5277. 19s. 7d., as against an Receipts. Estimate of 47,800l. The Accounting Officer explains that the excess is chiefly due to the increase of profit arising out of the heavy demands for silver coin in the last quarter of the financial year. COINAGE ACCOUNT. 4. With reference to paragraph 4 of my Report on this Vote for the year 1904-5, and Coinage to previous Reports mentioned therein, I have to observe that the Treasury, by Letter Account. dated 22nd March 1906, authorised the National Debt Commissioners to realise such an amount of Consols standing to the credit of the Coinage Fund as would produce the sum of 29,243/ 198. 9d. required for the adjustment of the Light Gold Coin Account with the Bank of England, and for payment of the Bank's Commission for services in connection with the withdrawals. It will be seen from the Statement appended to this Report that Consols amounting to 32,3581. 98. 10d. have been sold accordingly, and that the amount realised, 29,2437. 198. 9d., has been placed to the credit of the Master of the Mint. The Statement also shows that on the 31st March 1906, there remained a balance of 74,078l. 16s. 6d. Consols in the hands of the National Debt Commissioners. BRANCH MINTS. 5. The Accounts of the Branch Mints in Australia at Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth Branch have, under Treasury directions, been examined in my Department and found correct. Mints. CLASS II. continued. VOTE 19. NATIONAL DEBT OFFICE. ACCOUNT of the Sum Expended, compared with the Sum Granted, to pay the Salaries and Expenses of the NATIONAL DEBT OFFICE, in the Year ended 31st March 1906, showing the Surplus or Deficit upon each Sub-Head of the Vote. EXPLANATION of the Causes of Variation between Expenditure and Grant. A. This saving arises from the retirement of an Assistant Principal Clerk and the Head Messenger and the changes in the staff consequent thereon, and from a saving in Temporary Salaries. The gross saving was reduced by an increase in the allowances to the Housekeeper and for Office Cleaning consequent on the removal to new Offices in Old Jewry, and by the amount of special increments paid under Order in Council, dated 29th May 1905. B.--This excess arises from the expenses being more than the sum estimated, and such excess has been met by a transfer from Sub-Head A (Treasury Letter 22125/05). The C.-This saving arises from the Fees paid to Medical Referees being less than the sum estimated. gross saving was reduced by the amount of Fees paid to Medical Officers being more than the sum estimated. D.—This saving arises from the expenses being less than the sum estimated. E. This excess arises from the Fees paid in connection with the Commutation of Pensions being more than the sum estimated. The gross excess was reduced by the amount of commission received by the National Debt Office under the Savings Bank (Investment) Regulations being 801. less than the sum estimated. FF. CLASS II continued. VOTE 19-NATIONAL DEBT OFFICE-continued. The Surplus of 931l. 19s. d., shown on the Account of the Vote "National Debt Office," for the Year ended 31st March 1905, has been surrendered. National Debt Office, G. Hervey, I certify that this Account has been examined under my directions, and is correct. Examined, C. H. Archibald. John A. Kempe, Comptroller and Auditor General VOTE 19. REPORT OF THE COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL. Excess. 1. Expenditure in excess of the Estimate has been incurred under Sub-Head B. Surplus, 2. THE Amount to be Surrendered is, as shown by the Account, 465l. 18. 7d. Management of EXTRA RECEIPTS, payable to EXCHEQUER. 3. A sum of 5831. has been paid to the Exchequer in repayment of the expenses of the National Debt Office in connection with the administration of the Local Loans Fund, Local Loans partly out of the income of that Fund, and partly out of the Receipts by the Public Works Loan Commissioners in excess of the Amount appropriated in aid of their Vote. This sum of 5831. forms part of the total amount of 31,357 38. 11d. to which reference is made in paragraph 2 of my Report on Class II., Vote 21. Fund. John A. Kempe, Comptroller and Auditor General. CLASS II.-continued. VOTE 20. PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE ACCOUNT of the Sum Expended, compared with the Sum Granted, to pay the Salaries and Expenses of the PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, and of the OFFICE of LAND REVENUE RECORDS and INROLMENTS, in the Year ended 31st March 1906, showing the Surplus or Deficit upon each Sub-Head of the Vote. EXPLANATION of the Causes of Variation between Expenditure and Grant. A.-This saving was caused by the death of an Assistant Keeper and the retirement of a First Class Attendant. C. This excess was due to the unexpectedly rapid progress made by some of the Editors and Indexers. EXTRA REMUNERATION. An Assistant Keeper and Seven Clerks received 1427. 10s. Od., 155l., 60l., 917. 178. 6d., 687. 15s., 597., 1867. 108., and 1007. 12s. 6d. respectively for indexing calendars. These payments were made out of SubHead C of the Vote for this Office. Four Clerks received 481. 19s., 25l., 301., and 297. 15s. 1d. respectively for work in connection with the Historical Manuscripts Commission, paid out of the Vote for Temporary Commissions. Two Attendants and a Messenger earned 271. 188. 10d., 267., and 251. respectively as extra sorters at the Post Office, paid out of the Vote for that Department. |