H.—2o,

10

A. Mr. McKenzie's Report as to the Value of the Stock, &c. Sir,— Wellington, 18th June, 1874. I have the honor to report that, in compliance with your request, I have inspected the plant and material at the Government Printing Office. I made a careful examination of the various founts of type to ascertain their condition, so as to be enabled to give a correct estimate of their value. I also inspected the machines, presses, and other materials used in the establishment; and after doing so, assessed the whole of the articles contained in the inventory. Five days were occupied in this work ; and I have much pleasure in stating that every assistance was afforded me by Mr. Didsbury, the Government Printer, in viewing the plant and material, and also by Mr. J. G. Anderson, of the Audit Department, who was present during the whole time, and largely assisted in the work we had in hand. The value on the various articles I consider to be fair and reasonable; and although the estimate of some of them may possibly be higher than would be realized if the plant were placed in the market, and a forced sale effected, yet it is fully worth the estimate I have made for all the requirements of the Government. I found the type to be in fair condition; the various founts to be well arranged for the convenience of the printer, and all in good order. The composing-rooms, however, in my opinion, are too small for the number of hands occasionally employed in them.

Peofit and Loss .ccount — continued. 4.—Salaeies ;c. Account. To printers' wages ... Extra assistance and overtime ... *Printing Hansard Lithographer Photo-lithographer Binders ... Stamp printers ... Stereo and electro-typer Share of watchman's salary £ s. d. 6,388 13 2 5,724 12 11 2,286 12 11 540 13 4 318 8 6 597 15 4 610 0 0 277 0 0 54 15 0 By transfer to Profit and Loss £ s. d. 16,798 11 2 £16,798 11 2 £16,798 11 2 * The actual wages paid to the Hansard staff amounted to £3,380 17s. 8d.; but the men having been employed on miscellaneous work during the Session, in addition to their regular duty, the difference between the above sum and the sum charged for printing Hansard, viz. £l,09i 4s. 9d., has been charged as Extra Assistance. 5. —Pbinting &c. Account. £ s. d. By value of work done Binding ... Lithography Photo-lithography Value of postage-stamp dies, manufactured by electro-typer Stamp printing, including paper only ... £ s. d. 24,674 5 7 976 18 8 996 15 5 1,509 16 8 67 10 0 1,629 1 0 To value of paper, parchment, and ink, supplied from Government Store, and used, including 7 per cent, to cover freight and charges ... Value of stamp paper issued by Colonial Secretary ... ... ... Ink consumed in printing stamps Balance carried to Profit and Loss 5,786 3 11 135 5 0 91 10 0 23,841 8 5 £29,854 7 4 £29,854 7 46. —Peofit and Loss Account. To depreciation on stock Salaries account ... Working expenses Ground rent of printing office ... Ditto, photographer's room Proportion of expenses in connection with Government Store, say Kent of one-sixth of do., occupied with printing materials, for 18 months ... Interest on value of buildings and stock, per inventory, 30th June, 1872 £3,828 4 4 And on half cost of addition 2,204 5 4 £ s. d. 456 10 3 16,798 11 2 628 11 8 150 0 0 7 10 0 50 0 0 30 0 0 By balance of Printing Account £ 8. d. 23,841 8 5 Eighteen months at 5 percent, on ... £6,032 9 8 Profit to credit of the colony ... 452 8 8 5,267 16 8 £23,841 8 5 £23,841 8 5