1.—14.

RE PORTS. Parliamentary Paper B. 3.—Statement of Case of Difference of Opinion between the Controller and Auditor-General and the Public Trustee, together with the Decision of the Hon. the AttorneyGeneral thereon, in regard to the Interpretation of Statute. I have the honour to report that the Public Accounts Committee, to which was referred the abovementioned parliamentary paper, having heard evidence on and carefully considered the contents thereof, has no comment to make regarding same. In the opinion of the Committee the question of an alteration of the law whereby the discretionary powers of the Public Trustee would be extended is a matter of policy, and should be referred to the Government for consideration. 13th August, 1926.

Local Bodies' Loans Bill. Tfle Public Accounts Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 13th August, 1926.

Public Revenues Bill. The Public Accounts Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached hereto. 13th August, 1926.

No. 57.—Petition of Ernest A. J. Bell and ,3 Others, of Masterton. Praying for a grant of £10,000 for pro rata distribution among the depositors of the Wellington Farmers' Meat and Manufacturing Company (Limited) (in liquidation) because of the attitude adopted by the Bank of New Zealand, in which the Government is a shareholder, in connection with the winding-up of the said company. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Public Accounts Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 19th August, 1926.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee held on Friday, 3rd September, 1926, the following resolution was unanimously agreed to : That this meeting of the Public Accounts Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the services rendered by Mr. G. C. Black, Committee Clerk. Mr. Black's work has been carried out in a very able manner, and to the entire satisfaction of the Committee. And that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee/and also that it be reported to the House. 7th September, 1926.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the members of the Public Accounts Committee desire to place on record their cordial appreciation of the ability, tact, and unfailing courtesy during the session manifested by the Chairman, Mr. J. A. Nash, in the conduct of the business of the Committee ; and the members of the Committee further desire that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee, and also that it be reported to the House. E. J. Howard, 7th September, 1926. —— Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Public Accounts Committee, consisting of ten members, has during the session held twelve meetings, with an average attendance of seven members at each meeting. The estimates of expenditure for the financial year ending 31st March, 1927, were brought up in Committee by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. Mr. Downie Stewart. In all seventy-one officers of the Departments of State were summoned before and examined by the Committee on the several classes of the estimates, which were carefully considered seriatim. Two bills—namely, the Local Bodies' Loans Bill and the Public Revenues Bill —were referred to the Committee, and the same were carefully considered and reported upon to the House. One parliamentary paper —8.-3—and one petition were also referred to the Committee, and the same were reported upon to the House. 7th September, 1926.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (525 copies), £2 7s. 6d.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 926.

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