1.—60.

1883. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE. (REPORT ON ORGANIZATION OF THE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE DEPARTMENT, TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.)

(Beport brought up sth September, and ordered to be printed.)

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Wednesday, the 25th Day of July, 1883. Reference from the Treasury. —In accordance with a resolution of the House, come to on the Bth July, 1870, the Colonial Treasurer has the honour to refer to the Public Accounts Committee, for consideration, the present organization of the Government Insurance Department, with the view of the Committee suggesting any alterations which may tend to the more efficient and economical working of the department; also to submit the Government Life Insurance Bill, which the Government propose to introduce during the present session, in order that the Committee may suggest any'amendment which it may seem to be desirable to make in the provisions of the Bill.— (Hon. Major Atkinson.)

KEPOET. The Committee to whom was referred for consideration the present organization of the Government Insurance Department, -with the view of the Committee suggesting any alterations which may tend to the more efficient and economical working of the Department, have the honour to report :— That the Committee sees no reason whatever to doubt the soundness of the Government Insurance business, so far as their investigations have extended. With reference to any revision of the system, or to any reorganization of the department, which may be required, the Committee has not yet taken sufficient evidence to enable them to make specific recommendations to the House. It is also the opinion of the Committee that the evidence taken should not be published until the inquiry has been completed. F. J. Moss, sth September, 1883. Chairman.

MINUTES OF PKOCEEDINGS. Feiday, 20th July, 1883. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Barron, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Peacock, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wright. Motion made, That a copy of Mr. Thome's letter of appointment as Superintendent of Insurance Agents be laid on the table, and that Messrs. Thorne and Luckie be summoned to attend at that meeting in connection with the item Government Insurance Account, £3,652 9s. sd.— Mr. Dargaville. Amendment, That the item Insurance Account, £3,652 9s. sd, be postponed until the whole question of the organization of the Government Insurance Department be considered by the Comjmittee, the Treasurer having announced his intention to refer the question for the Committee's consideration. — (Hon. Major Atkinson) Amendment put, and agreed to. Adjourned till Thursday next, at 11 o'clock.

Tuesday, 31st July, 1883. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Peacock, Mr. Wright. Motion made, That the Commissioner of Insurance be summoned to attend on Thursday next. — (Mr. Dargaville.) Motion put, and carried.