8.—20b.

Session J I 1906. NEW ZEA LA N I).

"THE UNCLAIMED MONEYS ACT, 1898" (CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN AUDIT AND TREASURY DEPARTMENTS RELATIVE TO PAYMENTS UNDER).

Laid on the Table pursuant to Section 9 of " Tha Public Revenues Acts Amendment Act, 1900."

Audit Office, 28th August, 1906. The Controller and Auditor-General has the honour most respectfully to submit to the House of Representatives, in accordance with the provisions of section 9 of " The Public Revenues Acts Amendment Act, 1900," a copy of the correspondence in a case under that section, where, a difference of opinion having arisen between the Audit Office and the Treasury as to whether "The Unclaimed Moneys Act, 1898," is an. Act appropriating the public moneys necessary to pay to a claimant an amount paid into the Public Account under the provisions of that Act, the Governor determined the question by deciding that such moneys are appropriated by section 8 of the Act, and that the payment in question, could lawfully be made as a charge against the Act without further appropriation. J. K. Warbukton, Auditor-General. The Hon. the Speaker of the Hous Q of Representatives.

No. 1. " The Unclaimed Moneys A.ct, 1898." Wellington, New Zealand. The New Zealand Government. Department or Service : Treasury. 1905 - Dr. to John E. May. Nov. 27. Refund of amount paid into the Public Account by the Bank of New South Wales in terms of " The Unclaimed Moneys Act, 1898," and Amendment 4ct 1902 - £ t. d! £ s . d. T. 05/2824. Amount lodged to Public Account .. .. .. .. 47 19 0 Less cost of advertising .. .. .. .. .. 13 0 47 6 0 £ s. d. £47 6 0 T. 05/79. 44 19 0 05/1974. 3 0 0 Claimant: John E. May, Bluff Cottage, Strathclair, Manitoba, Canada. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the foregoing account is true and correct in every particular. R. J, Collins. To be charged to P. C, " The Unclaimed Moneys Act, 1898," section 8. [Treasury stamp approved.] Jas. B. Hbywood, Under-Secretary. 28 Nov., 1905.

No. 2. It is not stated on the papers attached that the Treasury is satisfied as to the claimant's ownership, as required by " The Unclaimed Moneys Act, 1898." The section quoted in the direction to charge is not considered by the Audit Office to be an appropriation clause. J. K. W., C. & A.-G. l/12/'OS.