PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. (REPORTS ON THE PETITION OF D. GLENDINNING, AND ON THE RESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRMAN.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1895 Session I, I-07c

I.—7c

1895. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. (REPORTS ON THE PETITION OF D. GLENDINNING, AND ON THE RESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRMAN.)

Reports brought up 16th August and 26th September, 1895, and ordered to be printed.

Petition of David Glendinning, of Napier, Contractor. Petitioner states that he purchased blocks Pohukura Nos. 1 and 2 in the year 1886 from the Native owners. That, on completion of purchase, petitioner paid to the Government by way of stamp duty 15s. per cent, on the amount of the purchase-money, and by way of Native-land duty £10 per cent, on the then property-tax assessment. That the property-tax assessments were made at per acre, but, in consequence of an error in the computation of the acreage of each of the blocks, the property-tax was overestimated, and on Pohukura No. 1, instead of being £3,700 on 30,000 acres, it should have been £2,908 on the real area—viz., 23,583 acres; and on Pohukura No. 2, instead of being £4,938 on 40,000 acres, it should have been £3,462 on the real area—viz., 28,051 acres. That he has been compelled to pay £863 for Native-land duty, whereas it should have been £636. Petitioner states he sold the land, and, after taking into account all expenses attendant on the purchase thereof, and the amount of purchase-money and interest calculated thereon at 7 -J per cent., he has on such sale made a loss of £2,479. He prays for a refund of £227 —the difference between the amount of duty actually paid and the amount which he should have paid. I have the honour to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Alfked Saundees, 16th August, 1895. Chairman. Repoet re the Resignation of the Chairman. The Public Accounts Committee have the honour to report that the Chairman (Mr. A. Saunders) has, in consequence of illness, forwarded to the Committee his resignation both as Chairman and as a member of the Committee. The Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of Mr. Saunders's services on the Committee, and its regret that the severity of his illness has necessitated his resignation. A. R. Guinness, 26th September, 1895. Acting-Chairman. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,200 copies), 18s. By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9s. Price 3d.]