COST OF AUDITING ACCOUNTS OF LOCAL BODIES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1889 Session I, B-22

8.—22

1889. NEW ZEALAND.

COST OF AUDITING ACCOUNTS OF LOCAL BODIES.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated 20th August, 1889. Ordered, " That a return be laid before this House showing, for the last financial year—(l) The total cost of auditing the accounts of local governing bodies; (2) the additional cost to the Audit Department of undertaking such audit; (3) the additional number of officers, and their salaries, appointed to carry out such work; (i) the number of Provincial Auditors dispensed with ; (5) the amount of salaries so saved ; (6) the amount paid by way of compensation or retiring-allowance to such Provincial Auditors; (7) the net result to the Treasury by the transfer of local audit to the Controller and Auditor-General's Department; (8) the amount charged to each local body for audit of accounts, specifying date of audit and time occupied in each case."—(Mr. Walkeb.)

Financial Year 1888-89. Question 1. " The total cost of auditing the accounts of local governing bodies." —Approximately £1,816 Bs. 4d., as shown in detail in answer to Question 8. Question 2. " The additional cost to the Audit Department of undertaking such audit."--£1,981 17s. lid. Question 3. " The additional number of officers, and their salaries, appointed to carry out such work."—Three Inspectors at £235 per annum, and one clerk at £140 per annum. Question 4. " The number of Provincial Auditors dispensed with."—Provincial Auditors, seven; clerk to ditto, one. Question 5. "The amount of salaries so saved."—£2,269. Question 6. "The amount paid by way of compensation or retiring-allowance to such Provincial Auditors."—■Compensation, £1,835 ; J. Ollivier, Canterbury, retiring-allowance of £250 per. annum. Question 7. " The net result to the Treasury by the transfer of local audit to the Controller and Auditor-General's Department."—Credit, £347 11s. 6d. Question 8. "The amount charged to each local governing body for the audit of its accounts, specifying date of audit and time occupied in each case." —(Details supplied, but not ordered to be printed. Total amounts charged, approximately £1,816 Bs. 4d.)

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