1,-11.

1909. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE: REDUCED SUBSIDY PAYABLE TO PUKEKOHE WEST ROAD BOARD (REPORT ON); TOGETHER WITH CORRESPONDENCE, MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE, AND APPENDIX. (Mr J. GRAHAM, Chairman )

Report brought up on the 16th December, 1909, and, ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the Bth Day of October, 1909. Ordered, —" That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to examine into and report on such questions relating to the Public Accounts as it may think desirable or that may be referred to it by the House or the Government, and also into all matters relating to the finances of the Dominion which the Government may refer to it; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Allen, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Laurenson, Hon. Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Massey, Mr. Reed, Mr. Russell, and the mover."—(Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward.) Thursday, the 9th Day op December, 1909. Ordered, —"'That Paper No. 209 B (' Reduced Subsidy payable to Pukekohe West Road Board ') be referred to the Public Accounts Committee." —(Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward.)

EEPOET. The Public Accounts Committee, to whom was referred the above paper, have the honour to report that they have carefully considered the same and have taken evidence thereon, and that the Committee are satisfied that the Minister of Finance was correct when stating, in his speech on the Appropriation Act on the 10th October, 1908, that the alteration in the law was " inconsequential." The minutes of proceedings and evidence, and all correspondence relating to the matter, are attached hereto. 16th December, 1909. John Graham, Chairman.