B.—No. 5

No. 5. THE STJPEBINTENDENT, HiWO's BAT, TO THE HONOBABLE THE COLONIAL 8ECBETABY. Superintendent's Office, Napier, April 25th, 1863. Sir,— In compliance with the request conveyed in your letter of the 1st instant, I have the honor to inform you that a detailed statement, setting forth the financial position of the Province, is being prepared and will be transmitted by an early opportunity. I forwarded a letter yesterday, covering a Eesolution of the Provincial Council, by which it is proposed to preserve for fourteen (14) years a considerable extent of the Provincial Estate as collateral security for the Loan of Sixty Thousand Pounds. Due provision will also be made for the Sinking Fund, as well as for the half-yearly payment of Interest to the Bank or Banks that may negotiate the Loan. It is intended only to raise from time to time such portions of the Loan as may be actually required for the purposes set forth in the Schedule attached to the Bill. I presume that some money will shortly be necessary to provide accommodation for the members of the Colonial Defence Force that are to be stationed in Hawke's Bay. When the Loan is negotiated, and I am in a position to estimate the amount to be from time to time drawn, I will make provision in the Estimates to meet the payment of Interest and Sinking Fund. The objects contemplated by the Bill are so obviously essential to the advancement of the Province that I trust His Excellency will give his assent to the measure, as every precaution has been taken by offering tangible security to meet the liability when it falls due. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Superintendent. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

No. 6. THE STTPEBINTENDENT, HAWKe's BAT, TO THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECBETAKY. Superintendent's Office, Napier, April 29th, 1863. Sib,— In continuation of my letter of the 23th instant, 1 have now the honor to transmit, as required by your letter of the 1st, a Statement of the financial position of the Province of Hawke's Bay on the 31st March, 1863, and for the succeeding fifteen months. The statement of Assets does not embrace the unalienated Waste Lands of the Province, of which a Return is herewith enclosed. I have, &c, Donald McLean, Superintendent. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

Enclosure to No. 6. STATEMENT of financial position of the peovince of hawke's bay, on the 31st march, 1863, AND FOE THE SUCCEEDING FIFTEEN SIONTHS. ASSETS: £ s. d. £ s. d. Balance in hands of Treasurer, 31st March, 1863 . . 9,564 14 5 Advances to be accounted for, viz. :— On account of Wellington Provincial Government . 1,809 0 4 His Honor the Superintendent, as Trustee of Small Farms Reserve .... 1,541 0 0 Balances in hands of Officers to be accounted for . 3,566 6 6 16,481 1 3 Estimate of Revenue for the Fifteen Months ending 30th June, 1864, including Land Purchase Sixths, in hands of General Government ..... 23,397 5 4 Total Assets . . . 39,878 6 7

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