Ti-No: 6.

INTERIM REPORT OE THE SELECT

4

6. 13th April, 1864. —Progress Report, with full details respecting the minerals, coals, fossils, plants, &c, which had been discovered up to date.—(Published.) 7. 21st October, 1864. —Progress Report. — (Published.) 8. Various official Letters. —(Published in newspapers.) 9. January, 1865.—Descriptive Catalogue of Geological and other Collections in the Exhibition. 10. sth Eebruary, 1866. —Various Papers in the Jurors' Reports,and Supplement to Class 1., which gives minute account of mineral and other natural productions of the Colony then known, and especially of those in Otago. 11. April, 1865. —Geological Map of the Province of Otago —scale, 8 miles to mch —showing results of reconnoisance survey up to date, and giving a large amount of original topographical details. This map was specially compiled for the geological survey, as, at that time, no complete topographical map of the Province was in existence. (Unpublished.) 12. Map of the North-west District of the Province, showing the surface configuration, with special relation to the opening of communication with the land fitted for settlement on the West Coast.—(Unpublished.) 13. Ten Geological Sections, illustrating the structure of the Province. —(Unpublished.) 14. Seventeen large Sketches and Views, illustrative of the geological features of Otago scenery. (Unpublished.) In addition to the above, an extensive collection in every branch of natural history within the Province was made by the Geological Staff, has been arranged by Dr. Hector, and is now deposited and displayed in the Museum at Dunedin. This collection is admitted to be exceedingly valuable, as illustrating the geological and other resources of the Province. Tour Committee are informed that the Geological Survey Staff of the United Kingdom, proceeding on the assumption that the results of a geological survey can be reported better in a geological map than in a written report, do not, as a rule, furnish any other report of their labours than a map of this description, with marginal notes. Tour Committee are of opinion, after a consideration of the above facts, that Dr. Hector cannot be said to have failed to carry out his agreement with the Otago Government. It is stated by Dr. Hector that he has not, during the time he was in the service of the Provincial Government, or, with one exception, since he left it in 1865, been asked for any other report than those above enumerated. Subsequently, however, to the above date, he forwarded to the Provincial Government the sketch of a further report of the results of his labours in Otago, which it was his intention to furnish, and this report was asked for in October, 1865. A considerable portion of the information intended to be included in that report has since been published in other documents, and it will be seen from the memorandum (A), that Dr. Hector believes it will be for the interest of the Province that his final report should be deferred until further field investigations in other parts of the Colony have been completed. 6. With regard to the general question of the claims now made on behalf of the Province of Otago, it appears to your Committee, upon a careful consideration of the evidence taken by and the documents submitted to them, of the value of the maps supplied, and of the mineralogical and other collections made by Dr. Hector, as well as of the information obtained by him as to the resources of the Province, and particularly of the western portion of it, that the Province of Otago has received full value for the sum expended on the Geological Survey. This conclusion still, however, leaves open the question whether, as the Geological Survey of other parts of New Zealand is now being completed at the cost of the Colony, some allowance should not be made to Otago on account of that portion of the general work which has been done at her expense. 7. Tour Committee respectfully submit that this question is not one which can be settled by the application of any principles already laid down by the Legislature for the adjustment of the financial relations of the Colony and the Provinces, and that it is, therefore, not one for your Committee to determine. They conceive that they can best discharge their duty, in the present instance, by submitting, as they have endeavoured to do in this report, such a statement of the facts and circumstances of the case as will enable the Legislature to arrive, without difficulty, at a fair and just conclusion. 8. They think it right to point out if an allowance is made, for the reasons above stated, to the Province of Otago, claims from other Provinces for similar services will have to be entertained. 9. Your Committee append to this report minutes of the evidence taken by them, as well as various memoranda bearing on the subject of this inquiry. Jons Hail, 7th September, 1780. Acting Chairman.

Papers appended to Interim 'Report of the Public Accounts Committee, dated September, 1870. 1. Evidence of His Honor James Macandrew. 2. „ The Hon. Captain Fraser. 3. „ Dr. Hector. 4. Letter from His Honor James Macandrew, to the Colonial Treasurer, dated 27th July, 1870. 5. Letter from His Honor James Macandrew, dated 9th August, 1870, enclosing copy of Agreement with Dr. Hector. 6. Memorandum from Deputy Superintendent of Otago, containing statement of expenditure, on account of Geological Survey, by Province of Otago. 7. Memorandum by Dr. Hector, concerning the Geological Survey of Otago. 8. Remarks on the Account of Expenditure forwarded by the Provincial Government. 9. List of Reports, Maps, &c, furnished by Dr. Hector to the Provincial Government of Otago.